The Testament of Gideon Mack Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I heard Robertson speak in Brussels in January at the Scottish Writers Series across the street from the EU building. He is a pro both as a prolific author and speaker. Captured by his presence, I read this compelling story. It's a magical realism tale that works well in the land of glens and gorse. He blends elements that clash: Protestant faith against folklore illusion; empirical science and mystery; personal honesty and social criticism. These take us to our own precipice of perceptions. Plus the events move along swiftly and all are tightly woven together. Stones as large as Stonehenge don't just appear and disappear. "

" This book really gave me the creeps, more so than any other book I've read. "

" While reading this book, I really grew to enjoy Gideon Mack, an atheist minister who comes to faith after meeting the devil. Actually, meeting the devil is the hook, but the story is really about Mack's life. The book is mainly a manuscript, written by Mack (remember, this is fiction), but the postscript raises interesting questions about his reliability in narrating the account. The central question of this book is: Do you have to believe in God to be an effective minister? It's a lot more complicated an answer than it seems on the surface. "

" A very slow first half, but when eventually it gets to when he meets the devil, it all comes together, from then on could not put the book down. A very interesting contrast between mental health and religion. I would highly recommend this book. "

" If I liked this protagonist AT ALL, as in ONE IOTA, I might have been able to make it through the final third of this book. I realize I am stopping just at the point where it may get juicy--where Gideon has his big encounter--but I find I am unable to give a damn about him or his spiritual growth. Sorry, Gideon. "

" I nearly gave up on this book several times but ultimately I was glad I perservered with it. It takes a while to get to the nub of the story and is full of diversions and digressions which are irritating at first. The life of a Scottish minister is not immediately appealing, but the unravelling of his ordered existence and his supposed communing with the devil is not without interest. The characters are difficult to empathise with but Robertson is clever in gradually pealing back their layers and motivations. Although idiosyncratic and even annoying at times, it does touch some emotional raw nerves and is certainly never less than thought-provoking. "

" This is a solid novel that, having just finished, I am still digesting. I can tell it's going to take awhile for me to form any solid conclusions about his book, beyond simply stating: "it's a bit brilliant." "

" This is a brilliant read - in turns atmospheric and even spooky then comic and tragic. I loved it. "

" One of my all time best books!! "

" A curiously good read "

" It took some effort to get through the first 50 pages, and the best part is the end, but it's a thought-provoking read. "

" I couldn't get past the first chapter.... "

" What a right load of old BATWANK. It was like reading a Dan Brown novel - arsegravy. I didn't like him either. "

" Church of Scotland minister questions his faith. Sounds boring but it's a wonderful story that will take you to some far out places. Are the places imaginary? "

" This is the best book that I have read for months. It left me doing lots of research to learn more of some of the topics and I was mulling over the contents for a few days. A well written book. "

" I loved this book. I found Gideon fascinating and I particularly enjoyed the way that he becomes less and less reliable as the story progresses, leaving the reader wondering about the line between faith and delusion. "

" Disappointing...Expected a lot more. The book tackles spiritual issues without any meaningful spiritual connection to the reader. An attempt to be "cutting edge" or a "cult favorite" but was just a string of "shocking" events--superficially described and thus, not successful in engaging the reader. "

" Unconventional - and I like books that are out of the ordinary. Not sure if Paula would like it, though. I liked it because it made me laugh and because I like rogues, anyway! A definite "recommendation" for an out of the ordinary read. "

" It's Scottish, and it's not crap. "

" Loved it - a lovely book about Scotland. Doesn't really need the plot twist with the devil but is good fun with it in nonetheless "

" That's how I imagine the devil. "

" Great read. Slow to start but really worth the wait. "

" This is the best book that I have read for months. It left me doing lots of research to learn more of some of the topics and I was mulling over the contents for a few days. A well written book. "

" This book would have been a better read had there been a more conclusive ending. By the end of the story, readers are left wondering why the main protagonist had not actually had any sort of long-awaited epiphany that was supposed to happen to him yet. "

" An interesting mediation on belief, that boils down to how normal it seems for a minister to not believe in God, and then how extraordinary for the same minister to believe to have met The Devil. "

" Got sucked in by this book I bought at the Goodwill on the weekend. Read about 100 pages into it last night. "

" That's how I imagine the devil. "

" I loved this book the style of writing and the way the story twisted and turned was fun a thought provocing. "

" Una sorpresa totalmente inaspettata. Importanti riflessioni sulla fede nei tempi moderni, intrecciate in una comedy molto godibile e irriverente. "

" It took some effort to get through the first 50 pages, and the best part is the end, but it's a thought-provoking read. "

" Best novel I've read in at least a year. I'm definitely going to have to read it again, though, to try to figure out what the hell was going on. I can honestly say I enjoyed every page. "

" Fabulous, wonderful, fabulous. Brilliant, fluent writing; a great plot, wonderfully drawn characters, location and ideas. The prose is really stripped and tight. I absolutely loved it, can you tell? I think this is my favourite scottish book since I don't know when. "

" Not bad! Worth a read but not amazing "

" This is a solid novel that, having just finished, I am still digesting. I can tell it's going to take awhile for me to form any solid conclusions about his book, beyond simply stating: "it's a bit brilliant." "

" A rather unique premise which made me want to read on and on. Wasn't sure what my opinion would be of this book, but it was extremly well-written and surprisingly easy to believe given the unusual premise. "

" Liked this book. Very well written. Not transformative, but interesting. "