Carter Beats the Devil: C/D?

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Didn't see a thread on this anywhere. I read it about two months ago and couldn't really make much sense of it. It seemed so overtly cinematic that it was difficult at times to read. And the sideways text, poster-illustrations, Braille, and subplot about Indonesian pirates seemed gimmicky and insane. I can't decide if Glenn David Gould was trying to pull off some post-Wyndham Lewis chicanery, or if he was just out of control of his text.

Either way, I'm not sure if I liked the book or if I totally wasted my time. Thoughts?

― The Second Drummer Drowned (Atila the Honeybun), Sunday, 22 February 2004 23:32 (twenty-two years ago)

there was a good story in there somewhere but it tried to do too many things and just got bogged down in subplots that in the end didn't amount to anything. dud.

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Monday, 23 February 2004 01:30 (twenty-two years ago)

I loved it. But I've got a high tolerance for adventure and thrills!

― My Huckleberry Friend (Horace Mann), Monday, 23 February 2004 15:54 (twenty-two years ago)

What was the deal with the sideways text on the wine-bottle? I wasn't sure if I was supposed to intuit that Carter had been complicit in Harding's death or not...

― The Second Drummer Drowned (Atila the Honeybun), Monday, 23 February 2004 15:55 (twenty-two years ago)

that description makes it sound like a laugh
i was looking at it in work the other day,cause id seen it in town for a euro or something...i might pick it up out of curiosity

― robin (robin), Monday, 23 February 2004 22:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Its quite good, but it does try to do far too much. Its as if Gould cannot decide what sort of book he most wants to write so that it changes almost from chapter to chapter. It is basically a ripping yarn, with a little shaggy dog story thrown in for good measure. Nicely written.

― David Nolan (David N.), Tuesday, 24 February 2004 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

It's been some time since I've read it, but I loved it. I don't think that Gould was trying to do too much or be too "literary". I liked it for what it was, a well told historical adventure story. But I'm easily entertained.

― Phastbuck, Tuesday, 24 February 2004 01:42 (twenty-two years ago)

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