Title: The Ghosts of Heaven
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
First published January 6, 2015
360 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781626721258 (ISBN10: 1626721254)
Rating: 3.71
Overview
The Ghosts of Heaven is a captivating and genre-defying novel that takes the reader on a journey through time and space. Four interconnected stories explore the themes of madness, obsession, and creation, beginning with a young girl’s cave drawings that hint at the dawn of writing.
From there, readers are transported to the seventeenth century witch hunts and a 1920s insane asylum, where a poet’s obsession with spirals threatens to unravel reality. But the story doesn’t stop there; it moves into the future with a final section set on a spaceship bound for a new world.
Marcus Sedgwick seamlessly weaves together elements of suspense, science fiction, and historical fiction in a tale that will leave readers spellbound. The Ghosts of Heaven is a book that will inspire intense fascination and captivate readers from beginning to end.
About the Author
Marcus Sedgwick, a British author, illustrator, and musician, was born in Kent, England. He has written several books, including Witch Hill and The Book of Dead Days, both of which were nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award.
Sedgwick’s latest nomination reignited his fascination with Poe, leading to “The Heart of Another,” a short story inspired by Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Sedgwick originally thought the story would be a novel but found it better suited to the short story format. He had the idea for the story years ago but was waiting for the right ingredient to come along.
Poe’s story and technique provided that final piece of the puzzle.
In addition to writing, Sedgwick used to play the drums for Garrett and was the guitarist in an ABBA tribute group. He has also published novels, including one that won the Branford Boase Award in 2001 and another that was shortlisted for The Guardian Children’s Book Award in 2002.
Editoral Review
“The Ghosts of Heaven” by Marcus Sedgwick is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that explores the themes of time, identity, and the human condition. Sedgwick is an award-winning British author known for his works in the young adult and children’s literature genres.
The book is divided into four interconnected stories that span different time periods and settings, from prehistoric caves to a futuristic space station. Each story is linked through a recurring motif of a spiral, which represents the cyclical nature of time and the spiral of life.
In the first story, “Whispers in the Dark,” a prehistoric girl discovers the power of storytelling and the art of painting in a cave. In “The Witch in the Water,” set in medieval England, a young girl accused of witchcraft must confront her accusers and her own internal demons.
“The Easiest Room in Hell” takes place in an insane asylum in the early 20th century, where a doctor explores the depths of the human mind. Finally, “The Song of Destiny” is set in a distant future where a space traveler embarks on a journey to a new world.
Sedgwick’s writing is lyrical and evocative, with vivid descriptions of each setting that transport the reader to different times and places. The characters are also well-developed, with complex motivations and emotions that add depth to the stories.
The recurring theme of the spiral provides a unifying thread that ties the stories together and adds a layer of meaning to the book.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of universal themes that transcend time and place. The stories touch on issues such as the power of storytelling, the fear of the unknown, the search for identity, and the human desire for connection and meaning.
The book also raises important questions about the nature of time and the cyclical patterns of life, which are relevant to our current era of uncertainty and change.
However, one weakness of the book is that some readers may find the structure confusing or disjointed. The nonlinear narrative and the lack of a clear resolution may also be unsatisfying for some readers.
Overall, “The Ghosts of Heaven” is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy literary fiction and are interested in exploring universal themes. It is a book that invites reflection and contemplation, and offers a glimpse into the mysteries of the human experience.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding and engaging read.
Rating: 4/5
