And the Ass Saw the Angel (Essential Penguin)

The story revolves around an ostracised boy who lives in kind of rubbish dump, akin to Stig of the Dump. He's pilloried by the locals for his apparent lack of intellect and disability. The locals in question inhabit a staunchly religious presbyterian town full of it's own foibles and strange characters, none of which will be too unfamiliar.

The dichotomy presented is extremely poignant - a holier than thou community that persecutes a pathetic, disadvantaged boy.

The prose is florid and overblown; sometimes you can almost hear it being read out by a strongly accented southern preacher, but it works.

The story builds to a truly tragic ending that simultaneously is uplifting as well.

A very accomplished book that wouldn't be out of place on the reading list of an English degree.

On the evidence of this Australia has an author who could, if he wanted, stand toe to toe with some of the other contemporary greats.


Profound insight rising form the pit of human depravity.   February 28, 2002
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

Knowing Cave's music well, it is perhaps not suprising that he would write a novel about imbreeds, murder, filth, religion, not to mention some of the most unusual narrative language one can find. I love this book, partly, I suppose, because it appeals to that undesirable aspect of everyone's nature that hungers for the grotesque and bestial. However, if this was all it satisfied, I would soon disregard it as gutter literature, there is a subtle and beautiful voice screaming through the vulgar exterior of the words. On the surface, it would appear that Cave is illustrating a damning perspective of Christianity - false profits, brutal extremism and insane fanatasism - but the occassional change in narration allow the reader to glimpse a faint enlightenment, made clearer through its juxtaposition with the external world of our narrator. I see it as an allegory for much of the human situation, exaggerating the dangers of blind faith but also warning against irrational rebellion. Even if you get nothing from analysis of this book (as you may see, I have great trouble articulating my thoughts), then read purely for the poetical descriptions and powerful characterisation. I assure you, you will go through at least eight contrasting emotions as you journey through it.