Badseedgirl
8/30/2014
Any avid reader can testify that after reading for a while, it gets hard to find new or original stories. I'm not saying that all writing is plagiarism, it's just that the reader finds themselves enjoying a novel because it reminds them of another novel they read, maybe it's the way the protagonist thinks or the actions the villain takes. So when a truly original story comes along, I at least feel obligated to crow and brag while clutching the book (or more often these days my Nook) to my chest, and maybe gamboling a bit if no one is watching. I had myself a veritable gambolpolluza when I finished Daryl Gregory's first novel Pandemonium. Now I should state for the record that this is not the first novel of Mr. Gregory's that I have read. I started out with his amazing and unique take on the zombie genre Raising Stony Mayhall. And that is his skill as a writer. Taking what has become a tired, played-out, genre and breathing new life into it.
Mr. Gregory was able to create a refreshing concept and carry it out with subtly and finesse. His characters were well developed and he was able to introduce the reader to his protagonist, Del Pierce in an organic way, feeding the reader information through naturally occurring conversations.
As for the concept and plot, well what can I say, pure genius. Demons are mentioned in the novel so casually, it reinforces the idea that demonic possession has just become an aspect of life. For the uninformed reader, Mr. Gregory offers vignettes every couple of chapters telling the story of a possession by one of the demons mentioned in the novel. With a less deft hand these interruptions to the flow of the story line might have been clunky, but again Mr. Gregory handles it with a subtle and fluid way. For me, at least, the vignettes only added to my understanding of the society in which the characters lived.
Without giving away spoilers, let me just say that although I had figured out the twist before the character did, I was no less devastated by the revelation. I think it worked so well because the author had showed time and time again that although people were possessed, when it was over they did not remember anything or were help responsible for their actions. This is the line fed to the reader at the beginning of the novel, but as we delve deeper into Del's life and see how possession has affected thousands of lives touched by the demons, not just the possessed, it becomes more and more obvious that the demons are not "just a part of everyday life." I found it ironic that the novel opens with a demon causing a delay at an airport, as this seems like such a minor inconvenience, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.
There is a heavy psychological aspect to this novel; especially Jungian Psychiatry and the ideas of the Archetype. I personally know very little about Jungian methods and so I must admit, I found it a tad dry, but after a quick trot over to Wikipedia, I felt I was informed enough to read the story. When I got to the ending, I will admit I was a little heartbroken, both for Del and his loss and for myself because I knew there was not going to be another page.
I am giving this novel 5 stars and wish I could give it more. I eagerly anticipate reading more from Daryl Gregory.