Look, out the window, on the dark street below - did you see the shadow flit just beyond the warm glow of the street lamp? Or as you withdraw back to the warmth of your home, did you catch the dark flicker out the corner of your eye, retreating back into the darkness? It may be Melmoth, the damned figure doomed to wander for eternity, bearing witness to the horrors we humans inflict upon one another...
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Thank you to @serpentstail for providing me with this copy to review, I really was captivated by this dark tale, perfect for a chilly winter’s evening! I really like what Sarah Perry can do with locations - Melmoth alternates through place and history, in the majestic city of Prague, the oppressing heat of Manila, and through the some of the darkest times in human history, every one of them as vivid as the last.
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The book starts with Helen, a translator in self-imposed exile for her murky past, as she makes a meagre life for herself in Prague, until the legend of Melmoth is pressed into her unwilling hands by her friend Karel. Using letters and extracts from novels and diaries (one of my favourite literary tools!) Perry, explores the dark myth of the woman who watches, questioning whether it is enough to bear witness to the horrors of the world and the importance of actions and consequences. It goes to some dark places, boldly addresses questions of morality, right and wrong, justice, and I was quite surprised but impressed by the direction it took!
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My one qualm with Perry though, is that while her writing is undoubtedly lovely, often you can sense her trying too hard to make it so. It can sometimes appear over-the-top flowery, whereas a little simplicity would make it even more effective. But if you can look past a little over-writing, then I recommend this dark tale!