Book: Bellman & Black
Author: Diane Setterfield
Format: Audible audiobook
Time taken to finish: 6 Hours
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First book of the year and what a kickass ride! I seriously regret not reading it sooner. Diane Setterfield has been my favorite ever since that winter morning I picked up The Thirteenth Tale. Her next book ‘Once Upon a River’ was nothing short of being a masterpiece. With every book she writes, she truly and amazingly surpasses herself. It’s sad her books won’t come out sooner.
Bellman & Black is a different kind of story compared to ‘The Thirteenth Tale’ or ‘Once Upon a River.’ It is about killing, death, darkness, rooks, funerals, mourning, and everything gothic. Oh yes, this novel is beautifully gothic; something Diane Setterfield has a penchant for. It follows William Bellman, who is a successful mill owner with a beautiful wife and two kids.
When a mysterious man in a black cloak appears during his mother’s funeral, Will’s life takes a strange turn. The story goes on to explore whether the man in the black cloak and the deaths in Will’s family are linked to an incident from his childhood involving a rook; that William and his friends had killed for fun. And that sets the mood of the novel!
While the book is 50 shades of dark and more, it doesn’t cease to amaze the reader. It’s a slow burn but man, it is worth the patience! Imagine waiting for candies and being served cupcakes instead! Setterfield, has a skill for using words and exploring dark themes, and the only other author to do that this impeccably was the Great Poe. She weaves magic with her quill and B&B is no less a charm.
The main theme of the story, the ‘ghost’ is quite subtle and the haze around the ghost element lifts only toward the end; which is a pretty unique ending for a book. For all the details and drama surrounding rooks, one thing is clear – Setterfield knows how to research her matter to entice her readers. Her writing is excellent, and she captivates the mind with her descriptions and creativity, just like her other novels. The pervading darkness and eeriness of the book consumes you and sets a chill that will stay with you for days. But like me, if you enjoy detailed stories, deadly characters, dark settings, this is the book for you.
The only real downside is that while being a great book, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re used to breezy modern literature, turn away. But if you love the mysterious of rooks and ravens, if strange characters are your thing, and dark eerie atmospheres your kick, then this book is for you. I thoroughly loved reading it and hope that you would give it a try too.
Have you read ‘Bellman & Black’? What did you think?
