Isis by Douglas Clegg
Posted by megmme on December 11, 2009
Isis by Douglas Clegg
Grade: D
Synopsis (from GoodReads):
New York Times bestselling author Douglas Clegg brings us Isis, a beautifully illustrated, unforgettable novella that is sure to become a classic tale of the supernatural.
If you lost someone you loved, what would you pay to bring them back from the dead?
Old Marsh, the gardener at Belerion Hall, warned the Villiers girl about the old ruins along the sea-cliffs. “Never go in, miss. Never say a prayer at its door. If you are angry, do not seek revenge by the Laughing Maiden stone or at the threshold of the Tombs. There be those who listen for oaths and vows….What may be said in innocence becomes flesh and blood in such places.”
She was born Iris Catherine Villiers. She became Isis.
From childhood until her sixteenth year, Iris Villiers wandered the stone-hedged gardens and the steep cliffs along the coast of Cornwall near her ancestral home. Surrounded by the stern judgments of her grandfather—the Gray Minister—and the taunts of her cruel governess, Iris finds solace in her beloved older brother who has always protected her. But when a tragic accident occurs from the ledge of an open window, Iris discovers that she possesses the ability to speak to the dead…
Be careful what you wish for…it just may find you.
Review
I picked up this book from the library a few days ago when I saw the title was a reference to Isis, the Egyptian goddess. I was intrigued by the concept of raising the dead and the hidden truth in the myths surrounding death proving true. I read it quickly but was left unsatisfied by the story.
The characters are well developed for such a short novella (113 pages) but there is something lacking in story. First, the story takes a surprisingly long time to develop–the main event in the plot takes place nearly half of the way through the book. Before that, it felt as though I was watching one of those very long Star Wars style scrollers that contain all the background information needed before the real movie begins–except this one was 50 pages.
Second, once the big event takes place, the rest of the plot seems like a summary. The events are quick and not nearly as beautifully written as the first half of the book; they are so shallowly described they don’t provoke any real thought on behalf of the reader. Once finished, I’m left with no feeling for any of the characters. Iris gets away with her poor decisions with little/no consequence and the other characters meet their predictable end.
This book had a decent premise and the italicized questions in the synopsis are fascinating. This book falls far short of exploring them–had it, it could have been a worthwhile scary story. As it stands, it feels like a failed morality play or a poor imitation of Edgar Allan Poe.
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[...] Isis [...]