Book Overview
Wesley, spurting with kinetic energy, nasty wit, and kindness to animals, ought to be a star. Or so it seems to those who nip at his heels, turn up everywhere he goes, and lie in wait for him around every corner. They are his followers -- he calls them Behindlings. And they make quite an ensemble, with their own questionable intentions, irritating habits, and weird manners. But they bury all disagreement in the common pursuit of their prize, their Wesley. Then there are those who simply stay put. Catherine Turpin lies defiantly in the bed she makes for herself while, outside, her failings are broadcast widely, painted on walls, even. When one of Wesley's newest followers, Jo Bean, turns out to be more interested in confronting Catherine than sticking with the behindlings, plots that have been twisted up come undone. With Behindlings, the inimitable Nicola Barker takes a character who is perhaps her most compelling creation to date, and lets him run off with her readers.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0060185694
ISBN13:9780060185695
Release Date:January 2003
Publisher:Ecco
Length:544 Pages
Weight:2.00 lbs.
Dimensions:9.0" x 1.6" x 6.1"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Don't follow me, I'm lost!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This book is, well ..., different. It is also strange, long, confusing, exasperating and just plain funny. I was reminded of the movie "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World". The characters are "characters". You might need your tool box because they all have at least one screw loose. You never seem to know what anyone's motivation is. There's a treasure hunt, but it is more smoke screen than actual plot driver. The "Behindlings" want to decipher the clues, but they also want to preserve the thrill of the chase. Their mixed hero-worship and hatred of Wesley, the key figure behind the quest, and their interactions with one another butt against the other part of the story - past events in Canvey that were hyped in a book by Wesley. If you like books that fall between the cracks of easily definable genres, then this will appeal to you. If, however, you like books that start at "A" and end neatly at "Z", then you might give this one a pass. I like off kilter books and had fun reading this one. Barker is inventive and if you relax and go with the flow this is worthwhile.
behindlings
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
This book is strangely inventive and imaginative, ironic in some ways, and impossible to leave it untouched for even a day. Not the ordinary hee-haa comedy sort of book, Behindlings leaves you wanting for more after reading every chapter. Barker's style of writing is fantastic, undoubtedly, and the book is, perhaps, colorful. No matter a bookaholic or not, Behindlings is a book worth your time, money, and focus.
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