Allan Stewart

I have to confess to being disappointed by this novel. I have read and enjoyed (in some cases hugely enjoyed) many of Harris' other novels. I found this tale to be overly tricksy and possibly deliberately vague. For Harris, I thought the characterisation weak in places and ultimately had a feeling of "so what?". If I want a first rate tale/homily of post-apocalyptic repression and suppression of reading and thought I am quite content with Ray Bradbury's mini-masterpiece Fahrenheit 451. Fictional accounts of Roman Catholicism's willingness over the years to enforce its views and limit its follower's beliefs are too many to even begin to mention. I read it all and got something from it otherwise it would have been in the Charity shop long since but that is where it is going now.