For what did I know?

It is rare that a work of fiction will cause me to think as much as Andrew Davidson’s debut novel, The Gargoyle did. The book opens at the scene of a terrific car crash where the protagonist is almost burned alive. The crash leaves him with disfiguring scars over his entire body. The protagonist had previously been a pornographer addicted to drugs. During his stay in the hospital, Davidson allows him to redeem himself, becoming, by the end, someone who may be seen as admirable.

During his stay in the hospital, the protagonist encounters a woman, Marianne Engel. Marianne is a psychiatric patient who believes that they have met multiple times in previous lives and that it was destiny for their paths to cross again. Throughout his recovery, Marianne spends her time telling the him stories of their previous lives together. The way these stories are seamlessly woven into the broader narrative is powerful and thought-provoking, leaving you shaking your head.

Everything about this novel is amazing. The characters are rich; they are each distinct in their own right, even the minor ones. The imagery is breathtaking and the narrative is thought-provoking.