Vincent Tijms reviewed Submergence by J. M. Ledgard
Review of 'Submergence' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
An excellent novel that crosses the border with poetry, but never strays too far. While the frequent zapping across time, space and perspective is reminiscent of much contemporary fiction, Ledgard's writing stands out among a generation of writers who hurry to move their plots forward. Clever use of motifs encourage the reader to seek out parallels among the different storylines, but the parallels remain elusive, ambiguous beginnings of thoughts. As a consequence, reading Submergence is as demanding as it is rewarding. Despite some minor issues -- Ledgard is a journalist, and it shows on those few occasions when the prose turns encyclopedic -- this book promises to be as timeless as it is timely.
An excellent novel that crosses the border with poetry, but never strays too far. While the frequent zapping across time, space and perspective is reminiscent of much contemporary fiction, Ledgard's writing stands out among a generation of writers who hurry to move their plots forward. Clever use of motifs encourage the reader to seek out parallels among the different storylines, but the parallels remain elusive, ambiguous beginnings of thoughts. As a consequence, reading Submergence is as demanding as it is rewarding. Despite some minor issues -- Ledgard is a journalist, and it shows on those few occasions when the prose turns encyclopedic -- this book promises to be as timeless as it is timely.