9780007157761 - Beyond Black

Beyond Black

In 'Beyond Black' weaves a haunting tale of the supernatural and the mundane, set against the backdrop of modern-day England. The novel follows Alison Hart, a medium who communicates with the dead, and her assistant Colette, as they navigate the murky waters of the spirit world and the complexities of human relationships. Alison's gift is both a blessing and a curse, drawing her into a world of grief, manipulation, and dark secrets. Mantel masterfully blends the eerie with the everyday, exploring themes of mortality, identity, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems indifferent. The story unfolds through vivid, often unsettling descriptions of Alison's encounters with the dead, who are portrayed not as ethereal beings but as stubborn, messy, and all too human. As Alison struggles to maintain her sanity and her career, she must confront her own troubled past and the malevolent spirits that haunt her. Mantel's prose is sharp, witty, and deeply atmospheric, capturing the tension between the seen and the unseen. 'Beyond Black' is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that challenges our perceptions of reality and the afterlife, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and the supernatural.

Beschikbare exemplaren

€6.95
GOED
Naam op voorblad. Verder is het boek in prima staat.
Auteur Hilary Mantel
ISBN 9780007157761
Bindwijze Paperback
Tags supernatural literary fiction trauma medium grief

Hilary Mantel's 'Beyond Black' is a masterful blend of the supernatural and the psychological, offering a unique take on the medium's life. The novel's greatest strength lies in its character development, particularly Alison Hart, whose vulnerability and resilience make her a compelling protagonist. Mantel's writing is as sharp and incisive as ever, with a darkly humorous tone that lightens the grim subject matter. The depiction of the spirit world is both original and unsettling, avoiding clichés to present a gritty, almost bureaucratic afterlife. However, the novel can be challenging; its nonlinear narrative and dense prose may deter some readers. The secondary character of Colette serves as a necessary anchor, but her relationship with Alison feels underdeveloped at times. The book's exploration of trauma and grief is poignant, yet the pacing occasionally lags, particularly in the middle sections. Despite these flaws, 'Beyond Black' is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work that showcases Mantel's versatility. Fans of her historical fiction will find a different but equally rewarding experience here. The novel lingers long after the final page, inviting reflection on the nature of death and the stories we tell to cope with it. While not without its imperfections, 'Beyond Black' is a testament to Mantel's skill as a storyteller and her ability to find humanity in the most unlikely places.

Alison Hart is a medium living in modern-day England, making a living by communicating with the dead. She is accompanied by her skeptical assistant, Colette, who manages the business and tries to keep Alison grounded. Alison's gift is not a peaceful one; she is haunted by a group of malevolent spirits, particularly a grotesque figure she calls 'the Morris Dancers' and a menacing entity named 'the Colonel.' These spirits torment her, often intruding on her séances and her personal life. As Alison conducts readings for her clients, she encounters the dead in all their messy, unresolved states, revealing the grief and secrets of the living. Meanwhile, she struggles to maintain a semblance of normalcy, dealing with everyday problems like taxes and relationships. The novel weaves between Alison's present-day life and flashbacks to her traumatic childhood, where she was raised by a cruel mother and subjected to abuse. These memories are intertwined with her encounters with the dead, suggesting that her psychic abilities are rooted in her trauma. Colette, initially a pragmatic foil, becomes more empathetic as she witnesses the toll the spirits take on Alison. The plot culminates in a series of confrontations with the malevolent spirits, forcing Alison to confront her past and the nature of her power. The ending is ambiguous, leaving Alison's fate uncertain but hinting at a fragile peace. 'Beyond Black' is a character-driven exploration of the intersection between the supernatural and the psychological, delving into themes of memory, identity, and the search for redemption.