But this purported autobiography of a rebellious preachers kid, faithless minister, and finally confirmed heretic offers a rich narrative spiced with existential angst. James robertsons intriguing new novel purports to contain the discovered last testament of a disgraced scottish minister, gideon mack, whose mind was undone after he fell into the treacherous. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson waterstones. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson the. For gideon mack, faithless minister, unfaithful husband and troubled soul, the existence of god, let alone the devil, is no more credible than that of ghosts or fairies. He is the author of several short story and poetry collections and has published the novels the fanatic, joseph knight, and the testament of gideon mack, among others. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson popmatters. The testament of gideon mack is the first book i have read by james robertson, and i enjoyed it so much that i now feel eager to seek out his other novels.
Robertson manages masterfully to question every aspect of his own story until one is forced to question nearly everything. For gideon mack, faithless minister, unfaithful husband and troubled soul, the existence of god, let alone the devil, is no more credible than that of ghosts or. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The recent controversy occasioned by the publication of that peculiar memoir the testament of gideon mack by dr james robertson has resulted in a renewed interest in this website. Read the testament of gideon mack by james robertson available from rakuten kobo. The story is from his point of view and tells the engrossing story of his life. There is something elemental about the glide and flow of nib and ink on paper. Rules and how to enter the booker prize and the international booker prize submissions. The testament of gideon mack published by hamish hamilton, is available from all good bookstores in the real world and online. He explains how even an author can have a surprising relationship with his own character. The testament of gideon mack remains a compelling, fascinating work.
The testament of gideon mack by james robertson 2006. The testament of gideon mack is a hugely readable and gripping book which poses challenging questions about belief and truth. Set in present day scotland, robertsons story of a contemporary. One day he discovers a standing stone in the middle of a wood where previously there had been none. Swallowed up in the roaring rapids of the legendary black jaws, he is. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson, paperback. From gideon s own coldly angry father, for whom the bible is the only book worth reading, and the selfrighteously puffedup peter macmurray to the contemptuously agnostic miss craigie and gideon s own. Gideon mack, the son of a preacher who followed in his fathers footsteps even though he does not believe in god, is ostracized after he returns three days after falling into a river and claims to have been saved by the devil. A critical success on both sides of the atlantic, this darkly imaginative novel from scottish author james robertson tak. Macks own version of events, it is a blend of memoir, legend, fantasy, history and perhaps madness.
Against the background of an incredulous world, macks disturbing. The testament of gideon mack is james robertsons acclaimed novel exploring faith and belief. A churchman who fraternises with the devil telegraph. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. The patience with which the testament of gideon mack finally arrives at this supernatural interlude together with its delightful, vindictively scottish characterization of the devil as a bored, naughty, beautiful, overgrown english schoolboy distinguishes the story as one of the finest instances of diabolical literature in the genres long and. Gideon mack, a church of scotland minister, has caused scandal on several counts. Gideon mack, whose memoir glosses his forenames biblical reference, was the lateborn son of a protestant clergyman on the model of the earlier walkers heroes. He commits adultery with his best friends wife after his own wifes death. Until the day he falls into a gorge and is rescued by someone. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the testament of gideon mack. An atheist church of scotland minister, gideon mack, sees a standing stone that appears to have appeared out of nowhere. The testament of gideon mack ebook written by james robertson. The possibilities for discussion arising from the book are hugely exciting.
The testament of gideon mack by james robertson books on. The testament of gideon mack quotes showing 110 of 10 i prefer the pen. When reverend gideon mack, a good minister despite his atheism, tumbles into a deep ravine called the black jaws, he is presumed dead. James robertson discusses the central character of his novel the testament of gideon mack. The testament of gideon mack norfolk county council. Its imaginative, brilliantly written, evokes places and characters vividly, and is consistently smart. Its imaginative, brilliantly written, evokes places and characters vividly, and is consistently smart and witty without ever becoming pretentious. For another interview with james robertson and notes on the testament of gideon mack for reading groups visit the vp book club. The testament of gideon mack amazon, goodreads by james robertson has a single unambiguous theme.
The editor who tries to confirm his memoirs details is left with frustrating inconsistencies. The testament of gideon mack takes a multifaceted look at how religious belief manifests in our particular historical and cultural moment. This is the story of gideon mack, a son of the manse, raised in a cold and stark childhood and who is dominated by a minister father. For gideon mack, faithless minister, unfaithful husband, and troubled soul, the existence of god, let alone the devil, is no more credible than that of ghosts or fairies until the day he falls into a gorge and is rescued by someone who might just be satan. In james robertsons latest novel, the protagonist, gideon mack, is a church of scotland minister in the northeast. The testament of gideon mack quotes by james robertson. James robertsons the testament of gideon mack is the story a dead man, a minister of the kirk, has left behind, telling of what happened to him after he fell into a gorge, miraculously survived for three days, met the devil and became shunned. The testament of gideon mack is a hugely innovative story told from the point of view of the minister of a small scottish town by the name of monimaskit.
The testament of gideon mack james robertson, author. The testament of gideon mack was longlisted for the 2006 man booker prize, picked by richard and judys book club, and shortlisted for the saltire book of the year award, and and the land lay still was the winner of the saltire book of the year award 2010. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson about the book when gideon mack falls into a ravine while rescuing a fellow ministers dog, he begins a journey that will take him, figuratively and literally, out of this world. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. For gideon mack, faithless minister, unfaithful husband and. National 5 english the testament of gideon mack learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson goodreads. The testament of gideon mack easily cements this position, dealing with some of lifes big themes. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the testament of gideon mack by james robertson. But the testament of gideon mack is much more than an epistemological investigation or a critique of religious belief. James robertson gideon mack, the son of a preacher who followed in his fathers footsteps even though he does not believe in god, is ostracized after he returns three days after falling into a river and claims to. James robertson mack is a minister who doesnt believe in god, the devil or an afterlife. The testament of gideon mack ebook by james robertson. The testament of gideon mack national 5 english revision.
Joseph knight won the saltire society scottish book of the year and the scottish arts council book of the year, and the testament of gideon mack was longlisted. I wont write another synopsis but would instead like to offer my opinion of the sheer brilliance of the. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson 400pp, hamish hamilton. A critical success on both sides of the atlantic, this darkly imaginative novel from scottish author james robertson takes a tantalizing trip into the spiritual by way of a haunting paranormal mystery. Three days later, however, he emerges bruised but aliveand insistent that his rescuer was satan himself. The testament of gideon mack audiobook james robertson. The testament of gideon mack by james robertson reading guide.