The Resurrectionist. James Bradley

by James Bradley

Book Overview

This book is set in London, 1826. Leaving behind his father's tragic failures, Gabriel Swift arrives to study with Edwin Poll, the greatest of the city's anatomists. It is his chance to find... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0571232760
• ISBN13: 9780571232765
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Length: 335 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Historical Horror - Stealing and Mutilating the Dead

It was with great trepidation that I read the book - expecting the horrible-ness of the reviews and ratings to rear its head at any moment. I read the whole thing and never saw a sign of it. I really enjoyed the book, though the subject was ookie. The story is told in very simple prose, without a lot of detail or backstory for the minor characters. The setting is done well, and it helps if the reader has some knowledge of Victorian life and the conventions followed in books; though the story isn't a long dense tome, as some often are. The POV character has the Victorian distance that can come across as lifeless, but in this case it wasn't. The description of the dead, their retrieval, handling, washing, dissection, and the mopping up afterwards was straightforward, and not drawn out to be ghoulish on purpose. Given the subject it was impossible not to feel squeamish now and then. The POV is an apprentice to a famous Anatomist in London. Gabriel Swift is an orphan whose guardian sent him to be Mr. Poll's apprentice. It is obvious from the names used that there are issues of class and familiarity between Mr. Poll, his junior associate Charles, and between Mr. Swift, and the other apprentice Robert. They are not spelled out however, and it is up to the reader to be aware of them and watch for the other clues in the text. This is a book you have to work at, perhaps that and the subject is why it has such a low rating. In any event the house where the dissections are done has another crooked character, Mr. Tyne the Butler, and the same type of men, the Resurrectionists, come to the door at night bringing their wares. What they do is illegal, so they must be furtive, and it takes a person of a certain disposition to retrieve and deliver the dead. When they are done with them, the remnants are taken off and burned, so they are never returned to their graves, and their family is often unaware they are missing. The story tells of Gabriel's learning the ropes with Mr. Poll and at the house. He has trouble with some of the more sinister denizens, including a Resurrctionist named Lucan who is at odds with Mr. Poll. Gabriel's difficulties with these men will come back to haunt him. Gabriel also learns London and how to have a good time as a young man with money and steady employment. Given his standing he spends time with barmaids and actresses. He falls in love with one, and its unfortunate that she is also a prostitute, allowing wealthy men to fund her meager existence. Mr. Poll charges Doctors and Students to attend his lectures and view the dissections. I am not sure what path to advancement the apprentices have, since without schooling they are unlikely to be able to become doctors or Anatomists. During the daytime the apprentices go with Mr. Poll and Charles as they minister to the sick and dying in the slums, as well as the wealthy in their homes. Throughout all the professional adventures, Gabriel is not happy, comfortable or really interested.