Post by Dreadlocksmile on Aug 21, 2009 11:42:21 GMT
Dreadlocksmile Review:
First published back in 1989, `Goat Dance' was Douglas Clegg's second full length novel to be published. With a multitude of different covers for each separate publication, everone of them portraying some grotesque and darkly imaginative artwork, you know exactly what sort of novel you'll be getting when you pick up `Goat Dance'.
True to the cover artwork, Clegg unleashes a multitude of obscene and horrifying moments within the tale that strike great similarities to that of the master of dark imagination, Clive Barker. Clegg time and time again reaches out far into the depths of his creative writing, dragging back with him such monstrosities; you'll feel truly immersed in a world of corruption on many occasions within this eerie tale.
Set in a small town named Pontefract which is located within Virginia, Clegg starts out his tale with the introduction of the easily lovable character of Malcolm Coffey (nicknamed throughout the novel as `Cup'). Coffey is lured back to Pontefract after a serious of haunting nightmares and strange phonecalls that all lead him back to his hometown.
Once back in Pontefract, the dark and evil truth that has been lurking within the town for centuries begins to reveal itself. Good townspeople turn to murderous savages, mutilating their loved ones in the most disturbing ways under the influence of this great power. Coffey eventually seeks help from a collection of old friends to bring an end to the corruption that lies at the heart of the town.
Running the length of the main storyline, Clegg has carefully spun a number of intricate subplots that eventually weave themselves into the main fabric of the story. One of these such subplots is Coffey's developing relationship with the girl Lily Cammack. Throughout the tale, the reader is invited to be drawn closer to the love Coffey has for Lily, which is so well portrayed that you can almost feel the same love and devotion towards the girl as Coffey clearly does.
Characterization is nothing short of spectacular throughout the tale. For a novel drawing on so many emotional levels, this was obviously an important aspect of the writing process, in order for the storyline to effectively deliver on so many different subtle levels.
Pieces of the storyline gradually begin to fit together as the story progresses, until the whole picture is finally clear in an almost apocalyptic reality. Suspense mounts throughout, and with the grand finale drawing closer and closer, Clegg unleashes all hell on the reader, showing his ability to delve into seemingly limitless depths of imagination.
With definite similarities in style with that of Clive Barker and Mark Morris, `Goat Dance' draws heavily upon the human characteristics of well defined characters whose lives are submerged in a world that seems to be more of a nightmare than anything else.
The conclusion is well thought out and executed in a very satisfying manner. As a whole the book seems to take the reader on a journey that is longer than the sum of its 422 pages. This is more than likely down to the beautiful characterisation that draws the reader into each and every one of their lives.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R34QEI0L7C0D1B/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm