Then we have two more tales almost back to back. The middle section of the book is part of the main plot as i mentioned earlier and this is also one of the most floridly written segments its really good. We know its part of a larger whole and so it takes great focus to stop the 'are we there yet' voice in your head which is waiting for this to intersect the overarching storyline. One is that its told by the Spaniard himself, rather eliminating the sense of danger since we know he at least survived, and two its placement.

Unfortunately this tale is severely undermined by 2 factors. However Maturin is very good at psychology and emotional reactions. Its a man-vs-institution story and whether its a monastery/convent, mad house, prison, boarding school, police state etc these tales don't have lot of variety to them at least in the broad strokes. Those two appellations are probably not coincidental ). It opens in ireland and is both very Gothic and very funny, in fact Maturin's sense of humour makes sporadic and odd appearances throughout the book.Īfter the opening and a short tale to add some more atmosphere we jump into 'The Spaniards' story and this is the low point and longest point of the whole thing. The rest are various other tales which are very tenuously connected. The main plot actually takes up about the first 10%, the 45-60% area and the last 10%. Well i can certainly see why people might have issues with this book but there's lot of good with the bad.

'But hear the result' said the pertinacious narrator.' '.starting from the doze in which he had frequently indulged during this long narrative.

Melmoth the wanderer charles maturin