The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson

A once handsome man (our nameless narrator) awakens in a burns ward remembering that he was in a horrific car accident in which he is burnt beyond recognition and almost beyond repair. Whilst he contemplates life as a monster versus an overwhelming feeling to commit suicide once he is freed from hospital, a strange but beautiful woman enters the ward - the first not to flinch at his appearance - and tells him that this is not the first time they have met and that she will look after him. Fascinated by this woman, the narrator tells the story of their encounter - and how she believes she can save him as he was burnt before in their previous life ...  Read the complete review

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson tells the story of a young man, horrifically burned in a car accident. Lucky to be alive and horrendously disfigured, he undergoes extensive treatment on a burn ward in hospital, all the while waiting for the day he will be released and can end his life. Then in walks Marianne Engel, a woman completely unknown to the young man. She approaches his hospital bed, leans over and whispers " You've been burned ... again." Claiming to have known and loved our protagonist 700 years ago in medieval Germany we are took on a journey through the present and past. ...  Read the complete review

The title of this review is from the front cover of the book. It seems to sum it up nicely. Just to give you an idea of the narrative style, The Gargoyle opens with the following lines: 'Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, often violently, just like love. It was Good Friday and the stars were just starting to dissolve into the dawn. As I drove, I stroked the scar on my chest, by habit. My eyes were heavy and my vision unfocused, not surprising given that I'd spent the night hunched over a mirror snorting away the bars of white powder that kept my face trapped in the glass. I believed I was keening my reflexes. I was wrong.' (page 1, The Gargoyle, by Andrew ...  Read the complete review

Title: The Gargoyle Author: Andrew Davidson Price: £3.86 for the paperback I bought this book to while away a few hours when travelling... and couldn't put it down. Now I've read it twice I feel qualified to review it! (and it's wonderful to re-read, because now I have my eyes properly open!) Plot The Gargoyle tells the story of the recovery of a man hideously disfigured and almost fatally wounded by a car accident. He is visited by a beautiful but insane woman, Marianne, who eases him through his long recovery process by telling him fascinating and mysterious stories about their 14th Century past, and assorted love ...  Read the complete review

'The Gargoyle' is written by Andrew Davidson and was first published in 2008. The book is narrated by the main character. You are not told the narrators name, which is understood more as you go through the book. I don't want to say too much about that as it will give the whole plot away!! The opening chapter tells you of a car crash that the narrator is involved in, of which he is horrifically burned beyond recognition. He is admitted to a burns recovery unit of where he will be for many months. For a few months he is on the burns recovery unit with no visitors. This is explained by the narrator that as he used to be a well known porn ...  Read the complete review