The Holy by Daniel Quinn Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Holy
Book Review: Not nearly his best work
Summary: 3 Stars
I have read all of Quinn's fiction titles and the Holy certainly is not on par with the rest of his books. It is a good story and worth the read but not nearly as revolutionary as The Story of B. He makes several subtle points in the Holy that are intriguing, but primarily this book is something to read if you are just looking to enjoy a good story. For many people that is enough, and this book may work for such people. Yes, the book gives you a good deal to think about, but really not much new if you have read the bulk of his other titles. If you are new to Quinn I recommend reading the Story of B first. It is his best title in my opinion, and better done than Ishmael (although Ishmael is damn good). And clearly, you do not have to read Ishmael first to Understand B. The story of B can stand on its own.Book Review: Shook me up
Summary: 4 Stars
I marveled at the first section after reading Quinn's description of 4 year old Tim discovering there is more to the world than meets the eye. Tim believed that as he grew older he would be allowed in on the real secrets of life. Quinn's thesis however, is that Tim already was on the path to wisdom; and aging would have the opposite effect of stealing that widsom from him.This book fascinated me and disturbed me. It will stay with me for a long time. I should have given it 5 stars but it shook me up too much.
Book Review: All action, no preaching
Summary: 5 Stars
Having read and loved some of Quinn's better known work, specifically ISHMAEL, I was pleasantly surprised when I cracked THE HOLY. His message is as strong as ever-humans are still ruining the planet with their selfish notions of entitlement-but Quinn's approach is more subtle than the Socratic conversations of ISHMAEL or MY ISHMAEL. This book is part road novel, part detective novel, and a convincing metaphysical thriller throughout, but it doesn't fall in to the trap of new age hooey that might have convenienced a less skillful writer. Quinn keeps things fresh, strange, beautiful, and cynical enough to keep the most hardened skeptic on board. It's fun, fast reading, and you might actually learn something along the way.Book Review: Breathtaking, fascinating, weird, gripping and some more
Summary: 5 Stars
1. A review for all readers:"The Holy" starts out very interesting with a little story about a boy and continues with the story of a private detective who gets a rather unusual case. This said, it sounds like the most average book around. But what happens at around 1/3 of the book has simply to be read to believe it. The author tells the story of a man who can't take his life anymore the way it is and simply quits it. He packs his stuff, says goodbye to his family and boss and drives away. The chain of events that happens to him then is so unbelievable, that you will find yourself quite often shaking your head. Not because you will say "Yeah, right!", but because you just can't believe all the things that are happening. Quinn takes the reader very far until he delivers the solution to all of it. This is real suspense. It is nearly impossible to put the book away, because you know that you have to read on until you know what the hell is going on.
And then, when it comes, when the solution is coming along, your mind will quite simply be blown away. Everything flows together, everything, even the most absurdest things make sense. All you'll can do after you closed the book is to think. It is impossible to put it away, saying "Okay, that was that." It changes your mind, making yourself ask questions you wouldn't have thought of before. You'll have a new way to look at the world.
Of course, this was the same with all of the other Quinn novels, but none of his books ever got you so involved with the story and characters, like "The Holy" does. Quinn has a beautiful way of writing, describing the characters so detailed and perfect, that you exactly know what to think about them. There are no clichees, no stereotypes. The story is outstanding, getting everywhere from crime to gambling to religion to murder to fate to satanism to animism to zombies and to life itself. The book starts like "The Story of B", continues as a John Irving-novel going beserk and ends like no other book I've read before.
If you just a need a really good book, read "The Holy". No matter, what kind of literature you're interested in, this book will surely satisfy you. This is Quinn's best work up to now.
2. A short review for all Quinn-experienced readers:
Read it! :) Really. Sure, maybe you won't find any new ideas that strike you as much as in the other books, but all you know up to now from the "Ishmael"s or "Story of B" is so perfectly put in here, that you'll just love it. The other books were so revolutionary for your mind because the ideas were so new, while the story was not always satisfactory (especially in "My Ishmael"). With "After Dachau" he proved that he can write really great stories without forgetting the big ideas. With "The Holy" he proves that he simply can do anything. This is Quinn's best work up to now, even better than "The Story of B".
Book Review: Daniel outdoes himself!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read all of Quinn's work and grow with each book - he is a unique thinker and he challenges his readers - in the best way. This was no exception. It is different from Ishmael and some of his better known work - as the other reviews point out - but certainly just as powerful and provocative - and much more "thrilling." I could not put it down!