Kim at Reading Matters is co-hosting ‘A Year with John Banville’ with Cathy from 746 Books, and although I already have some titles waiting patiently on the TBR, I decided to try one of Banville’s crime novels when I saw it at the library.
The Lock Up is listed among Banville’s Pseudonymous works at Wikipedia where it is No 9 of his Quirke series published as Benjamin Black, but actually it’s No 3 of a series featuring this Quirke detective which are published as John Banville. Whether this is because it is more ‘literary’ than the Benjamin Black titles, I can’t say. It didn’t seem much like a detective novel to me, nor much like his other literary novels either. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have persisted with it except that I had taken it down to Dunkeld with me…
So, in the interest of keeping things brief because I have other reviews to catch up on, let’s just say that you should read Kim’s very fine review of The Lock Up, and I will tackle some of the titles that I have on the TBR during ‘A Year with John Banville’. They’re a bit of a mishmash of trilogies, as you can see. I’ve already read and reviewed Shroud, No 2 and Ancient Light No 3 (reviewed here) in The Cleave Trilogy so I should probably start with Eclipse to tidy that series up first, but as you can see in those reviews I was dubious about both Ancient Light and Shroud so I hope Eclipse turns out to be more like the standalone novels that I’ve really enjoyed.
-
- 1976 The Revolutions Trilogy #1
-
- 1989, The Frames Trilogy #1
-
- 1997
-
- 2000, The Cleave Trilogy #1
-
- 2010, Freddie Mongomery Trilogy #2
Author: John Banville
Title: The Lock Up (Quirke #9)
Publisher: Faber, 2023
Cover design by Faber
ISBN: 9780571370986, pbk., 338 pages
Source: Kingston Library
ANZ LitLovers LitBlog 
Well, you’ve beaten both Cathy and I to the chase as neither of us has posted our first review for #JohnBanville2024 ! Mine will be next weekend (The Guests, which is a standalone but does feature a very young policeman called Strafford —with an R — in it). Thanks for linking to my review of The Lock-Up and looking forward to seeing what other Banville’s you might read this year.
LikeLike
By: kimbofo on January 22, 2024
at 10:35 am
Ah well, you are working to a proper schedule whereas I am bumbling around reading whatever I happen to happen upon!
I’m pleased you’re hosting this year; I’ve had those Banvilles on my TBR for far too long and it’s high time I read them, or turfed them if I find them too dark. (I’ll have all that extra space on the B-shelf, more room for more books too!)
I really like his playful novels so if it turns out that I don’t like any of what I’ve got, I’ll chase up one or two of his others that you list in your schedule.
LikeLike
By: Lisa Hill on January 22, 2024
at 11:53 am
I hope to contribute to this year, as I only have one Banville on my blog, The infinities, which was an intriguing but enjoyable book. I also read, before blogging The sea, which I wish I have reviewed on my blog. I liked it a lot – it felt very Irish for a start. I probably won’t choose a crime novel though if I do get to read him.
LikeLike
By: whisperinggums on January 22, 2024
at 4:24 pm
I loved The Sea. I foolishly took my first edition with me when we went overseas, and had to leave it behind because of weight in the suitcase.
But I made up for it when Banville came to Melbourne and he autographed my replacement copy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on January 22, 2024
at 5:57 pm
Lucky you … I must say that we mailed a lot of paper stuff back from our early European trips! eBooks aren’t perfect but they are great for travel.
LikeLike
By: whisperinggums on January 22, 2024
at 10:24 pm
Each to his own…
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on January 22, 2024
at 10:47 pm
I enjoyed The Sea more than Ancient Lights. Like you I have a few other books by Banville on the shelves which might get an airing this year. I have a feeling he is coming to do an event near me later in the year which could give a much needed boot up the proverbial for me to actually read them
LikeLike
By: BookerTalk on January 23, 2024
at 9:05 am
He’s definitely an author whose books are variable!
LikeLike
By: Lisa Hill on January 23, 2024
at 9:36 am
Thanks for being the first review in our Year With John Banville! I just reviewed Birchwood this morning. Looking forward to seeing what else you read throughout the year,
LikeLike
By: Cathy746books on January 24, 2024
at 9:00 pm
It’s going to be an interesting year! I’ve had your review of Birchwood open on my computer since before dinner, but I’ve been working on a review and (ha ha!) being firm with myself about not getting distracted. Off to read it now:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on January 24, 2024
at 10:34 pm