Book Review: the Calligrapher by Edward Docx
the Calligrapher by Edward Docx
Docx's first novel was a joy to read. Jasper Jackson works as a calligrapher, and fills his spare time with seducing a variety of different women behind his girlfriend's back, until he is finally found out. He then receives a commission to inscribe the verses of John Donne, whose poetry about love begins to reflect Jasper's own love developing for one of his neighbours. Despite his philandering, Jasper is charming, witty and erudite, and his narration must be the greatest attraction of the book. He also manages to explain the meanings of the opaque poems to idiots like me. The conclusion is a bit rushed, and silly, almost as if the author realised he needed a denouement, and so manufactured one. However, this is one of te best books I've read recently, and Docx's second book is already sitting ready on my shelf.