The Collapsing
Castle: First
Impressions
Oxford 1998 Program Participants Talk
About The Collapsing Castle
by Chris
The first thing that struck me about this story was the obvious
supernatural overtones presented in the book's opening passage. The
presence that appears to Eppie, in my opinion, is demonic. Clues from her
actions indicate that this is not the first time she has seen the figure.
The supernatural overtones (or undertones) remained as the
book
progressed, but I became confused as to what exactly was supernatural in
nature and what was psychological. Were the manifestations (I don't want
to give them away) purely a result of a guilt-ridden conscience, or was
there really something "other-worldly" occuring here?
That aside, I was really drawn into the story of a man who
took
his
life
for granted. Here he is- young, intelligent, respected- has a succesful
wife and a loving daughter. His intentions stray as he becomes
infatuated by one of his students (I don't want to just summarize here,
and
once again- I don't want to give away and twists). What amazes me is the
main character's ignorance of what is happening around him.
Middleton throws a few clues in throghout the book that could lead the
reader to make the story's major discovery before the main character does.
I will admit that I didn't catch on until after the secret was
revealed.
In the interview that will soon be posted on the web page,
Middleton discusses his initial dislike of the story, but then goes on
to explain how "rehabilitated" the story in his own mind after drawing
connections between it and his personal life. He didn't elaborate much on
this, but after reading the story, I think anyone can see how the idea of
a
collapsing castle can in some way relate to their own life.
In the end, many of my questions were still unanswered about the
use of the superatural. I am excited to hear some other responses.
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by Melanie
This is the second Haydn Middleton book I have read, so when I began
this book, it was with some hesitations. I wasn't sure whether The
Lie of the Land was just a bit eccentric, or if Middleton always
writes in such a
twisted fashion. Well, I find that The Collapsing Castle has just
as
many twists and oddities in its plot as LOL does. And I am even beginning
to enjoy this about Middleton's work!
I am not at all familiar with the myths and legends that Middleton
writes on in CC, so I did have some troubles following the book at times.
I wonder if natives of Britain are more familiar with the myths that he
writes on, and so understand his novels with more ease, or if they have
difficulty in following, also. I feel that my having to read closer to
follow the novel helped me to be in the story more than usual, because I
was reading with such care. I think that may be why I figured out what
the big "secret" was, where Chris did not! When Middleton finally
revealed what the "secret" was, my mom thought I was nuts, because I
jumped up and down, book in hand, and chanted "I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT," over
and over.
I enjoyed this book more so than LOL, I think because I could
identify with many of Daniel's feelings. It seems that CC deals with more
real, and dare I say normal, people. The characters in CC go through
problems that many marriages stray into, and because the situations seemed
so viable, I really got in touch with this book, where as the situations
in LOL were foreign to me, and I had to make myself continue.
I was somewhat disappointed with the ending of the book. As the
"lightning storm" scene is occuring, I found myself reading faster and
faster, expecting an equally exciting end, but it just wasn't there. I
would suggest this book to someone, definately over LOL. I was more
excited with CC, and it seemed to be a smoother reading book than LOL.
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