The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters is a hyped novel, to say the least, and recently purchased for the purpose of making it into a movie which is now available in a per-chapter form as a gimmick. All these factors still do not necessarily make for a good novel and alas with this one it has to be said it sadly falls short of the mark.
The novel reads like a screenplay in which the author deliberately is going light on the background to the story and all out on the characters. There is a virtual gang of characters running around this novel who are sometimes hard to keep track of, especially with their changing loyalties.
What most irks me about the novel is the lack of depth to the alchemical blue glass treatment that provide the raison d'etre of the novel. There are a few vague references to a series of paintings that depict an alchemical formula for it and it is said to be "ancient," but that is about it for detail. I find this most frustrating as one knows what the substance does but not how or why.
There are times when the book reads like a script to a steampunk (a genre I like I would add) scenario for a pen and paper game or video game. There is a lot to this novel as well as it runs to 741 pages in the version I have (separate chapters as books) and it really needn't be that long at all. The author desperately needed a good editor as there are things that are rather repetitious to the point of annoyance, while other aspects are glossed over in little detail. This novel seriously drags in many places; I was, it has to be said, relieved when it was all finally over. (Despite the ending being a bit unsatisfying ala Dan Brown.)
If this were merely a first novel from a writer it would be one thing but the hype has raised the barrier for the novel. In the end it reads more like steampunk fan fiction than a seriously good novel.
I am sure with the correct casting and the right director it will make a cracking film (and video game), but as a book it falls rather short of the mark. Really rather average, it has to be said, and that is a great shame.
Article comments
1 - Katie McNeill
I have to disagree with you about this novel falling short of the mark. He did drag some things out and not explain enough of others, but as a whole it is more than worthwhile.
(Have you read Wilkie Collins 'The Moonstone' or 'The Woman in White'? They have similar things in common I think. and to me it seemed as if he might be trying to get some of that feel)
This book has a lot going on, and I admit myself that some parts were hard to get through, but when I finished it I was in love. (and he's writing a second book as well. maybe it will tell you more about the blue glass?)
it would make a great movie though, if they did it right.
2 - Vincent de la Croix von Supperhausen
I completely agree with this review. It's completely overrated.
The running trough tunnels, the immortality of the leading characters and their hideous escapes from villains gets somewhat tiresome and incredible after 750 pages. It reminded me exactly of Dan Browns style of 'scriptwriting' and I wondered when they would make a film out of it, if not already have.
It's like a mc donalds meal; it fills, but does not contain any significant fibres.