From Publishers Weekly
Bennett (
The Catastrophist) pens an evocative, somber account of a man facing a crisis of spirit and conscience in early 17th-century England, when "men of property were gripped by fears" and decried the poor, the immigrant and the unemployed as spreaders of crime and sin. Upstanding town coroner and governor John Brigge, a man of "the old faith" who "lived with signs and saints," is called to investigate the death of a baby allegedly murdered by the child's own mother, Katherine Shay, a proud Irish Catholic woman. She denies not only the crime but the right of her Puritan inquisitors to try her. Brigge, struck by the young woman's refusal to quietly accept her fate, begins to believe that she may indeed be innocent. But because the townspeople have already decided she is guilty—and have sniffed about Bennett the secret airs of a papist—he understands that his own fate will hinge on whether or not he goes along with those who claim to work for the benefit of God, even as they serve their own selfish ends. Marvelously told, with memorable characters, powerful dialogue and description, and subtly drawn parallels to contemporary issues, this is one of the more rewarding historical novels to come along in some time.
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Pressestimmen
'As uncompromising as a biblical text, Bennett's drama captures life in the raw -- both in the dock and the chamber. A modern parable in historic guise' Independent, 24/6/05 -- Independent 20050624 'This is a gripping novel, its narrative staggered with betrayal and intrigue and suffused with the hot threat of violence. Bennett's prose is economical, powerful, and often poetic' -- The Times 20040911 'Bennett's evocation of a corner of England on the edge of apocalypse is wonderfully done! the novel's language is flowing yet exact, marked with a wonderful strangeness' -- Kathryn Hughes, Guardian 20040904 'An accomplished and ambitious work of fiction! HAVOC is Bennett's best novel to date, and deserves a significant place in the modern canon' -- Observer 18991230 'Superb! already long-listed for the Booker, HAVOC, IN ITS THIRD YEAR has the pedigree of a novel that can, and should, go further. It is a thrillingly satisfying piece of work' -- Sunday Telegraph 20040912 'Both an atmospheric thriller and a consternating study of the horrors of fundamentalism! grim, compelling and ultimately bracing reading' -- Irish Independent 20040912 'Searingly powerful! a fable and parable for all times -- and ours in particular! sublimely written' -- Stevie Davies, Independent 20040903 'Bennett is a gifted writer with relentless fascination for misery' Independent on Sunday, 12/6/05 -- Independent on Sunday 20050612 'Ronan Bennett's most accomplished and compelling novel to date' Observer, 16/6/05 -- Observer 20050616 'This powerful historical novel resounds with contemporary significance' Telegraph, 11/6/05 -- Telegraph, 20050611 'Powerful, atmospheric...particularly strong on evoking physical intimacy' Guardian, 16/6/05 -- Guardian 20050616 'Bennett's compelling story of an honourable man forced to choose between personal and public duty works both as historical fiction and as a subtle, oblique parable for our own times' The Sunday Times, 24/7/05 -- The Sunday Times 20050724
