Excellent discussion, love the Gormenghast books myself, I encountered them in the school library when I was 17 and probably had the biggest impact of any book on my life, that CS Lewis quote about seeing Gormenghast everywhere once you've read it really stuck with me too. I think a lot of the book is satirical of England and its values of pomp and Empire, a lot of the ritual we have here is very similar to that of the books, Maundy Money being given out by the Queen at Easter, the state of opening of parliament with all the men in the silly wigs getting doors slammed in their faces because of ritual, people speak of "tradition" yet their understanding of the meaning is lost to them and all that remains is the spectacle and the little thread that tells them it means something, something grand something imperial that's almost lost to our society. Gormenghast has that thread running through it too, the idea of meaning in the denizens lives, that all this isn't in vain and actually means something, somewhere in cosmos.... they aren't so different from us after all....
@@GregoryBSadler The third book unlocks a deep reading of Titus Groan and Gormenghast that isn't accessible if you've only read the first two. Feeling the absence of the castle, its inhabitants and surrounding paints as much of an impactful and striking picture, as staying on the inside. So, yea, in a way I agree that the third book is not on the same level as the first two, only because it reaches different depths.
Thanks for the lecture. Gormenghast is a masterpiece of worldbuilding, I just pray that Neil Gaiman isn't allowed to ruin it with some cash-grab netflix series. Burgess was spot on, as usual. And I think that CS Lewis quote is one of the highest praises you could give to something. "Hadn't seen anything like it before, but after I saw it everywhere"
Nice discussion, I have to say the first two Gormenghast novels are one of, if not my favorite pieces of fantasy literature. The misdirection of setting up Titus Groan as the main character but while having the driving story arc follow the anti-hero Steerpike is unique and interesting. The symbolic use elements of fire (Steerpike's weapon of choice) and water (Titus' baptism, the flood) appearing in both of the first novels at similar points in the story was oddly thought provoking as well.
I began reading this masterpiece in about 1968. It`s now 2020 and I`ve only just finished the last book in the trilogy after living the story, in my subconscious, as much as I had read, until now... 52 years later. Imagine my delight when, upon finally turning the very last pages of Titus Alone, I am gloriously enveloped with an epiphany. Titus` story, which had been my own tragedy ends so gloriously in his maturation and ability to forsake his lost identity for the true one. This is actually my true identity in CHRIST and that of us all.
Ooooof listening to audience's snide comments in the background does not show America at its best: "Oh, everyone's so unlikeable", "what was the point of this", "everyone character's so pathetic". I don't think it's possible to misunderstand Peake more if they tried, it's like they all wanted to watch Star Trek and were sorely disappointed
Excellent discussion, love the Gormenghast books myself, I encountered them in the school library when I was 17 and probably had the biggest impact of any book on my life, that CS Lewis quote about seeing Gormenghast everywhere once you've read it really stuck with me too. I think a lot of the book is satirical of England and its values of pomp and Empire, a lot of the ritual we have here is very similar to that of the books, Maundy Money being given out by the Queen at Easter, the state of opening of parliament with all the men in the silly wigs getting doors slammed in their faces because of ritual, people speak of "tradition" yet their understanding of the meaning is lost to them and all that remains is the spectacle and the little thread that tells them it means something, something grand something imperial that's almost lost to our society. Gormenghast has that thread running through it too, the idea of meaning in the denizens lives, that all this isn't in vain and actually means something, somewhere in cosmos.... they aren't so different from us after all....
Yes, I imagine it has different resonances and references for a British readership than for an American one
The first two are marvelous and unforgettable
Yes, the third one isn't quite at the level of the first two, but still pretty good stuff
@@GregoryBSadler The third book unlocks a deep reading of Titus Groan and Gormenghast that isn't accessible if you've only read the first two. Feeling the absence of the castle, its inhabitants and surrounding paints as much of an impactful and striking picture, as staying on the inside.
So, yea, in a way I agree that the third book is not on the same level as the first two, only because it reaches different depths.
It took me 3 months to finish this trilogy I can't imagine blasting through
Thanks for the lecture. Gormenghast is a masterpiece of worldbuilding, I just pray that Neil Gaiman isn't allowed to ruin it with some cash-grab netflix series. Burgess was spot on, as usual. And I think that CS Lewis quote is one of the highest praises you could give to something. "Hadn't seen anything like it before, but after I saw it everywhere"
Glad you enjoyed it. Yes it’s tough to adapt something like that well to television or film
Nice discussion, I have to say the first two Gormenghast novels are one of, if not my favorite pieces of fantasy literature. The misdirection of setting up Titus Groan as the main character but while having the driving story arc follow the anti-hero Steerpike is unique and interesting. The symbolic use elements of fire (Steerpike's weapon of choice) and water (Titus' baptism, the flood) appearing in both of the first novels at similar points in the story was oddly thought provoking as well.
I began reading this masterpiece in about 1968. It`s now 2020 and I`ve only just finished the last book in the trilogy after living the story, in my subconscious, as much as I had read, until now... 52 years later. Imagine my delight when, upon finally turning the very last pages of Titus Alone, I am gloriously enveloped with an epiphany. Titus` story, which had been my own tragedy ends so gloriously in his maturation and ability to forsake his lost identity for the true one. This is actually my true identity in CHRIST and that of us all.
Probably the only person in the history of readers of this magnificent series that reached THAT particular conclusion....
Ooooof listening to audience's snide comments in the background does not show America at its best: "Oh, everyone's so unlikeable", "what was the point of this", "everyone character's so pathetic". I don't think it's possible to misunderstand Peake more if they tried, it's like they all wanted to watch Star Trek and were sorely disappointed
You get the audience you get.
I went to Croydon Art School!!
Very cool