NOT WANTED ON THE VO

Rating:
Summary: Everyone who is anyone should read this book!
Review: Findley deals with such themes in this brilliant novel as feminism, homosexual rights and animal rights. He gives a new perspective to the story of Noah's Ark, and offers noteworthy ideas on God

Rating:
Summary: Noah's Flood; unconventional perspectives on an ancient tale
Review: Findley set himself an ambitious task in writing this novel. He takes the Biblical story of Noah and the Ark and reinterprets it. This represents a new trend in late 20th century literature; the rewriting of traditional stories, often in the attempt to undermine the intended purpose of the story. Aside from this work, this idea can be seen in Gardner's "Grendel" (based upon the thousand year old English epic poem "Beowulf") and the "Politically Correct" series: Bedtime stories, Parables, and the Politically Correct Guide to the Bible. It is interesting to see how post-modernism is changing (if not corrupting) literature. Post-modernism asserts that there is no meta-narrative, no authoritative version of events, no absolute truth and so forth. Of course, it is almost immediately obvious that such a philosophy is riddled with contradiction (see "Relativism: Feet planted firmly in mid-air," by Frank Beckwith and Gregory Koukl for more; I've also reviewed this book) and as such should not be taken as serious philosophy.

"Not wanted on the voyage" strikes me as a much better novel than Findley's "The Wars" (which I have reviewed), a tale about a Canadian soldier in World War 1. I would not say there is a substantive difference in terms of writing style, but I simply found the happenings of World War 1 uninteresting to read in a fictional setting. My main criticism of this novel is the pace; the first part is almost painfully slow. The reader has to wait about 60 pages to meet Yahweh (God, who is described an ancient man, strained with exhaustion) and then, another 140 pages for the Ark to be finished and the Flood to begin. I consider the Ark and the Flood to be the main events of the story, however it may be told, and those events should be the most prominent. Despite the pace, there are several things about the novel that I enjoyed.

The depiction of Yahweh (i.e. the God of Christianity/Judaism) is without a doubt theologically wrong in most respects, but as a character, Findley paints him well. Yahweh is shown to be exhausted, depressed and very human. When Yahweh arrives in Doctor Noyes' home (Findley substitutes Noyes for Noah), there is a sense that it is God's last refuge. Unfortunately, after this one meeting, Yahweh is not seen again.

The portrayal of the various supernatural characters is both amusing and fresh. Lucifer is depicted as the woman Lucy who marries one of Noyes sons and boards the ark. One of my favorite passages from the novel reveals Lucy as the the Dissenter of Heaven, the one who disturbed the peace:

"A long time ago," she said; "in a place I have almost forgotten - I heard a rumour of another world. With all my heart - because I could not abide the place I was in - I wanted to see that world. I wanted to go there and to be there and to live there. Where I was born - the trees were always in the sun... The merciless light. It never rained - though we never lacked for water. Always fair weather! Dull. I wanted difference. And I wondered - does it rain there? Are there clouds, perhaps, and there shade in that other world? I wanted somewhere to stand, you see, that would give me a view of deserts and of snow. I wanted that desperately. I wanted, too, someone I could argue with. Someone - just once - with whom I could disagree.... Who say that dry is wet - and black is white? and if I were to say; 'I am not I - but whoever I wish to be.'" (page 282)

This quote is one of the more insightful observations that Findley makes in the novel (i.e. besides such ideas as religion when mixed with power, tends to corrupt). It is ironic that someone would desire foul weather, dissent and trouble instead of bliss.

The Archangel Michael is Michael Archangelis who might be best described as a holy warrior. In the novel, Michael is the well-armed and experienced protector of Yahweh who never sleeps and the brother of the fallen Lucifer. Oddly enough, demons are among the "animals" included in the ark. Demons are described in the novel as fiery, roughly dog-sized animals that are playful. I somehow found this bizarre for I tend to consider such beings immaterial, similar to angels. There are also strange beings called Faeries which are some sort of small, bright beings. Nothing is really said about them, other than the fact that they are frightened easily and live in the forest.

Noyes' family is a mixed bunch; some loyal to the father and some to the mother. They are hardly saints, yet they could not really be called fully corrupt either. Noah (or Doctor Noyes) is an oppressive father whose passion for God leads him to be a negligent husband and father; further, there are hints that he is some sort of scientist (there is mention made of him experimenting with animals and attempting alchemy). This realistic showing of family life is one of the endearing qualities of the novel. On the other hand, the fact that all the animals can talk is quite strange. Mrs. Noyes cat, Mottyl, has quite a role throughout the novel and one wonders why this is the case. Is there some sort of subtle symbolism intended here or is it simply a device to let the reader know what the animals think about the Ark, the Flood, and the people aboard it?

A word of warning to some readers that there is a rather violent sex scene in the novel, it lasts about two pages and some readers may want to skip this section.

Rating:
Summary: Enthralling
Review: I was a naive 20 year old when I was told to read this book before I graduated by a fellow university student. Being a lover of all types of fiction, I devoured this book and have never stopped reading anything Findley puts out. However, this is his most creative and compelling novel. Maybe it's a bit like Kurt Vonnegut where the first of his novels will always be your favorite, but I just think everyone in the world should read this. It is sad and beautiful and the story of Mrs. Noyes' talking cat broke my heart. Good stuff!!

Rating:
Summary: THE SWEETEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ
Review: MY MOTHER-IN-LAW GAVE ME THIS BOOK. AT ONE OF HER BRIDGE PARTIES THEY WERE DISCUSSING THE BEST BOOKS THAT THEY HAVE EVER READ AND SHE RECALLED THIS ONE AND THOUGHT I MIGHT LIKE IT. I HAVE PASSED IT ONTO ALL MY 'READER' FRIENDS, AND ALL LOVED IT. I AM NOT A GREAT FAN OF FINDLAY, BUT THIS IS HIS BEST!

Rating:
Summary: An astounding, enthralling feat of imagination and empathy
Review: This is an incredible book. I've read most of Findley's other novels (see my review of _The Telling of Lies_ for more on the author and his other books), and none measures up to this one ... but few OTHER writers' novels do, either.

God is tired, and depressed. He gets no respect any more, so he decides to do away with himself; hence, the flood. (This was back in the days of unicorns, fairies, and elves.) But before destroying everything, God tips off his devoted servant Dr. Noyes, who is, not to put too fine a point on it, a total jerk: obsessed with God's law and with doing what is right in God's eyes.

The real hero of the story is Mrs. Noyes, an alcoholic who stows bottles of gin about the house and talks to animals. Part of the story is narrated by her cat, Mottyl. God's lovely fallen angel Lucifer senses that something big is up and transforms himself into a beautiful woman in order to hook up with Ham and make it onto the ark. (Another of Noah's sons tried to run away, fell in with some bandits who threw him in a pot and tried to eat him, and he was lucky to escape with his skin permanently turned blue.)

Power blocs form and struggle on the ark, secrets are kept and revealed, and what seems like a quirky, amusing fantasy inexorably transforms itself into an apocalyptic horror. The language is simple and spare, but the imagery and the plot it relates is unbearably rich.

There isn't one superlative I wouldn't lavish on this book. You should do your utmost to find a copy for yourself (It took my wife four months to secure a copy with the intent of trading it away at a "book gift" party she intends to throw at our house; the book made her cry.)

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant writing, heart-wrenching / hopeful tale
Review: This is fiction at its best (and not just Canadian fiction)!! It's usually hard to try to get me to read a book in which animals talk, and characters are mythical / Biblical; however, this was such a captivating read. The best books make its readers feel: and this one certainly does. Images from its pages became branded onto my mind for a long long time. Findley's strength comes in truly sympathizing with all living things. E.g. I started to get choked up as the fairies hovered around the ark, getting weaker and weaker as they see their chance for salvation diminish. This book IS mythical, but it's also very real: Findley's sense of social justice, his views against autocracy and mindless, blind followers of authority are clearly shown. This book mourns the cruelty that is humanity, but it also celebrates heroism, bravery, and loyalty.