52 in 52: Daniel O’Thunder by Ian Weir
52 in 52 is an unofficial challenge to read one book a week this year. I tried this last year but lost track somewhere in the 30s. So we’re trying this again for 2010.
Book the first? Ian Weir’s novel of pugilism, faith and Victoriana, Daniel O’Thunder. The book is also the first selection of the Afterword Reading Society so you’ll be hearing more about it in the coming weeks.
Weir’s novel is a fun, well-paced and well-plotted book about an Irish street preacher and boxer who challenges the devil to a boxing match. C’mon, how can you not like that summary?
Some of my favourite books in the last few years have been novels that played with the conventions of the historical novel (i.e. the Man Game). This one fits that bill and is probably a bit more accessible than Lee Henderson’s novel, with its crazy patois and slightly more outrageous, MMA style fighting.
My co-worker Brad and a few others have said this book was an overlooked title of 2009 and I agree. Daniel O’Thunder is a manly, meaty book. I’d recommend it to those who enjoyed Quirk’s Jane Austen mash-up series or those who enjoy their Victoriana a bit rougher around the edges.
March 28th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
[...] started with a blog post by my friend Ron last January when he introduced his 52 in 52 project — 52 books in 52 [...]