Book Review: Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files)
I really did like the story and the complexity of emotion that burrowed through this book. However, I can't say in all honesty that I enjoyed the journey.
In brief, it was the element of 'is this real' that hindered my full engagement in the narrative. Ghost stories involving angels often have an element of 'this is what happens when you are either not born or if you make this decision' and 'Ghost Story' played with that underlying theme. It was compounded by the discovery that all is not well in Chicago post Dresden's death and part of the reader (me at least) has a small hope that perhaps, as a result of Dresden's adventure/discovery, this may be fixed.
Jim Butcher ably interweaves standard tropes and themes and gives them fresh life and excitement, and this story held true to that skill, in keeping me guessing right to the end as to whether the entire story was a misdirect, a dream, an opportunity to rectify decisions or face the consequences of decisions. While an effective technique, it is one I am not a fan of, as I tend to check out of the emotional band wagon, just in case it is all a dream/misdirect. But it still involves characters I love and I hop and skip through a roller coaster of emotion as a result, hence I don't enjoy it. In retrospect I appreciate that Butcher was true to the reality that there is no magic switch which unmakes the bad decision, that negates the consequences of our actions, even if we are deceived (either by ourselves or others) in making that decision. I appreciate that Dresden is given an opportunity to see things clearly, to see the true results of his decisions (both good and bad), to feel regret and hope, and then have hammered home most delicately that agency and being true to yourself if the ultimate lesson.
In summation, I thoroughly enjoyed the overall impact and skill of the story. The drama and action. The growth and depth of the characters. But perhaps like Dresden, I did not enjoy the journey, even if the end results were worth the lesson. The emotions and dichotomy of character depth is brilliant.