"Gormenghast is a huge city, filled with smaller cities subcomunities all dictated by class. The antagonist is Steerpike, a kitchen by (which is one of the lowest class) who is in love with Lady Fuchsia, the dreamer daughter of the presiding Lord Groan. He works his way up from the bottom to the top of the class system through killing and hurting, determined to have Fuchsia notice him.
He wants revenge on Gormenghast because of its mistreating him and keeping him in the kitchen for his whole life up until the point when he escapes.
Titus Groan, the main character, is struggling with his position as the earl since he was one, when his father died. His sister, Fuchsia is the only one who really understands him. He hates Gormenghast, and all of the tedious rituals that are his whole life.
This first book mainly deals with introducing the fantastic array of supporting characters, the setting, and the basic outline of the many plots.
"
Clara, Resident Mervyn Peak Scholar
"In the city-state of Gormenghast, the future ruler is born. Steerpike, an intelligent and sociopathic kitchen worker takes advantage of the celebrations to escape the kitchen and begin to explore the city; he quickly sees opportunity for advancement and begins using stealth, blackmail, and assasination to claw his way into power. Gormenghast itself is an ancient castle-like complex with no contact with other societies beyond the surrounding peasants; most of the book is dedicated to an exploration of the city, its exacting rituals, and its eccentric inhabitants."
Boris, Resident Mervyn Peake Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%
Tone of book
- depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Family relations
Yes
Intense exploration of society's culture?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- a teen
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
- society
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an above average amount
- throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- general past
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
