Review Summaries

• Its inventive premise and precise historical detail are praised, though some readers note a certain coldness and distance. Many value it for the feel of a literary thought experiment.

Reviews

• 興味深い題材だが

  生まれながらに痛みを感じないと人はどのようになるのか、そして初めて痛みを知った時にどのように感じるのか。なかなか興味深い題材で、かつ舞台設定が18世紀の英国ということでかなり期待して読み始めたが、それなりに面白いが期待に応えるほどではなかった。 主人公のJamesは生まれ時から痛みを経験したことがないが、それは物理的な痛みだけではなく、精神的な苦痛（原文ではsuffering）も含まれるため、極めて冷徹な人間として成長していくことになる。 その成長の過程はそれなりに面白いのだが、Jamesが痛みを感じることになる部分が、何故急に痛みを感じるようになったのか理解できず、その後の急展開にもついていけなかった。原文の英語も難しい単語や表現が使用されているため慣れるまで苦労した。

• After reading 'Pure' by Andrew Miller I decided to of his books and found the theme of 'Ingenious Pain' intriguing. James Dyer, the main character endures inflicted pain without flinching and his wounds heal rapidly - this is unbelievable yet Andrew Miller writes with such earnestness and conviction the reader accepts this as a reality. From his birth young James is 'different', he enjoys an aura of strangeness and endures the trial and tribulations of an innocent looking for answers! To say more would possibly spoil the book for others. James' adventures continue with strange companions across lands and territories which try their fortitude but his encounter with Mary is either James's salvation or curse - that's for the reader to decide. Of the many characters in 'Ingenious Pain' the most loyal and supportive is the Reverend Lestrade. Andrew Miller writes fluidly, a real page turner, and with depth and understanding of his characters. Although some incidents were 'out of a magician's hat' I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and unexpected turns this novel took.

• This book is brilliant. As a person who read countless number of period pieces I have encountered many books that are better left unwritten, but Andrew Miller is a whole different story. He draws the period beautifully and offers a stunning portrayal of that time. The narration has all major styles of storytelling: childhood stories, adventure, romance, a bit of Gothic, psychological development. Even though it is a bit graphic sometimes, it does not take away a thing from the book. The story of a person who does not feel pain is peculiar even if I am not sure that is possible from physiological point of view. I think the author should not have limited himself to trying to tell the reality. The magical aspect of the story (aka Mary) is a bit downplayed and it's a pity. I would enjoy learning more about that character and her powers. Because this story is written as almost a real story, the magic seems to be laughable. The author could have done better by either excluding the magical aspect altogether or by developing that line a bit more. It would not have been the same book though... Overall, it is a fascinating reading and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in period pieces or in psychological change in the person.

• Was in good condition

• This first novel by Andrew Miller is remarkably engaging in its evocation of an historical era and of the individuals emerging in the developing narrative. Rich in appropriate metaphors and analogies, the language of the text is lucid and crafted into a seemingly unselfconscious flow of imagery, insight and idea. In a curious way, it is something of a forerunner of his wonderful novel 'Pure'. I recommend 'Ingenious Pain' as a text rewarding reflective reading.

• This is the tale of a boy who is born insensitive to pain and grows into an outstanding but heartless surgeon and how his life changes, and what a tale it is. It is crafted with such depth of skill and meaning, it held me captivated like no book I have read in a long time. Absolutely magnificent. That it is a first novel is beyond belief. I am going to the author's web sight now to see if he has written anything else yet.

Purchase links