Book Review: The Cuckoo's Calling
Harry Potter author writing a crime thriller? That too under a pseudonym? A surprise move from the part of J. K. Rowling no doubt! When interviewed by The Guardian on her initial idea to write the social-themed The Casual Vacancy under a pen name, she replied: "I think it's braver to do it like this. And, to an extent, you know what? The worst that can happen is that everyone says, 'Well, that was dreadful, she should have stuck to writing for kids' and I can take that. So, yeah, I'll put it out there, and if everyone says, 'Well, that's shockingly bad—back to wizards with you', then obviously I won't be throwing a party. But I will live. I will live."
I wonder what then prompted Rowling to write The Cuckoo's Calling as Robert Galbraith, unless if it were to temper the massive expectations associated with her books, inevitably affecting the way we read them, the very thing she perhaps wanted to avoid. It must be difficult really, inviting constant comparisons with her previous works: Did you read J. K. Rowling's latest book?, Is it better than Harry Potter?... So while this tack of hers has taken off some pressure, The Cuckoo's... is an assured if not truly spectacular crime fiction debut by the author.
Losing his leg in the Afghanistan war and working as a private investigator, Cormoran Strike's life is in disarray. He is financially broken, and lives in his rented office after breaking up with his long-time girlfriend. It's when comes John Bristow, who wants Strike to investigate the death of his sister Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo. A troubled super-model, she fell from the balcony of her apartment in what the police assume to be a case of suicide. Almost jumping at the offer, the case takes Strike through the underbelly of the glamorous fashion world, and it would be up to him to finally unmask the killer before it's too late.
The writing style of Rowling's is unusual in that it's excessively formal and in complete contrast to the time period the novel is set in. By mixing it with frequent cussing and swearing, it makes for an awkward reading experience. Otherwise The Cuckoo's Calling is a well crafted whodunit, the clues and leads intelligently pursued by Strike and his temporary secretary Robin, ultimately paving the way for a nicely wound-up denouement. The intricate plotline adds a depth to the proceedings, and so are the believable characters Rowling creates to inhabit her narrative.
By exploring the unexplored side of fashion, Rowling makes an interesting social commentary of how the two worlds go hand in hand, and yet remain out of touch with real life, and of how there is a dark murky world waiting to ensnare those attracted by the superficial high life. Rowling has previously applied this morality angle of good versus evil in her fantasy Potter world, and here it works even better. The Cuckoo's Calling is good enough to leave your thoughts provoked. I hope Strike strikes again soon!
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| A crime debut |
Losing his leg in the Afghanistan war and working as a private investigator, Cormoran Strike's life is in disarray. He is financially broken, and lives in his rented office after breaking up with his long-time girlfriend. It's when comes John Bristow, who wants Strike to investigate the death of his sister Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo. A troubled super-model, she fell from the balcony of her apartment in what the police assume to be a case of suicide. Almost jumping at the offer, the case takes Strike through the underbelly of the glamorous fashion world, and it would be up to him to finally unmask the killer before it's too late.
The writing style of Rowling's is unusual in that it's excessively formal and in complete contrast to the time period the novel is set in. By mixing it with frequent cussing and swearing, it makes for an awkward reading experience. Otherwise The Cuckoo's Calling is a well crafted whodunit, the clues and leads intelligently pursued by Strike and his temporary secretary Robin, ultimately paving the way for a nicely wound-up denouement. The intricate plotline adds a depth to the proceedings, and so are the believable characters Rowling creates to inhabit her narrative.
By exploring the unexplored side of fashion, Rowling makes an interesting social commentary of how the two worlds go hand in hand, and yet remain out of touch with real life, and of how there is a dark murky world waiting to ensnare those attracted by the superficial high life. Rowling has previously applied this morality angle of good versus evil in her fantasy Potter world, and here it works even better. The Cuckoo's Calling is good enough to leave your thoughts provoked. I hope Strike strikes again soon!
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