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In 2005 another of his novels was published, this being `Human Traces`.
Yet again Faulks has set his sights on providing readers with another captivating if not complicated tale that is set back in the mid 1800`s.
Human traces centres around the lives of two young men who not only ... Read review
Jacques Rebière and Thomas Midwinter, both sixteen when the story starts in 1876, come ... more
from different countries and contrasting families. They are united by an ambition to understand how the mind works and whether madness is the price we pay for being ...
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Jacques Rebière and Thomas Midwinter, both sixteen when the story starts in 1876, come ... more
from different countries and contrasting families. They are united by an ambition to understand how the mind works and whether madness is the price we pay for being human. As psychiatrists, their quest takes them from the squalor of the Victorian lunatic asylum to the crowded lecture halls of the renowned Professor Charcot in Paris; from the heights of the Sierra Madre in California to the plains of unexplored Africa. Their search is made urgent by the case of Jacques's brother Olivier, for whose severe illness no name has yet been found.
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Explores the question of what kind of beings men and women really are. Jacques Rebire and ... more
Thomas Midwinter, both sixteen when the story starts in 1876, come from different countries and contrasting families. As psychiatrists, they have to deal with the case of Jacques's brother Olivier, for whose severe illness no name has yet been found.
Jacques Rebiere and Thomas Midwinter, both sixteen when this story starts in 1876, come ... more
from different countries and contrasting families. They are united by an ambition to understand how the mind works and whether madness is the price we pay for being human. This work explores the question of what kind of beings men and women really are.
Advantages: An interesting and intriguing read Disadvantages: the book is lengthy
...1800`s.
Human traces centres around the lives of two young men who not only have their own personal issues with life but feel that they can make significant inroads into introducing change in how mental illness is perceived and dealt with.
Jacques Rebiere , the son of a lowly Breton landowner is perturbed by the plight of his older brother Olivier who is now reduced to living the life of an animal due to being plagued ... ...not only animals but the human brain too. Faulks chooses to graphically describe the interior of the mental asylum of the era.
Human Traces will have great appeal to many, on the other hand there will be an element who will recoil at the content. Sebastian Faulks gathers momentum in Human Traces, effortlessly getting into his stride. There are no great lusty affairs or scandalous moments but what the book does incredibly well is to ... more
English author and former literary editor of The Independent Sebastian Faulks is possibly best known for his intriguing First World War novel `Birdsong` published in 1993. In 2005 another of his novels was published, this being `Human Traces`. Yet again Faulks has set his sights on providing readers with another captivating if not complicated tale that is set back in the mid 1800`s.
Human traces centres around the lives of two young men who not only have their own personal issues with life but feel that they can make significant inroads into introducing change in how mental illness is perceived and dealt with.
Jacques Rebiere , the son of a lowly Breton landowner is perturbed by the plight of his older brother Olivier who is now reduced to living the life of an animal due to being plagued by constant `strange voices` and a predisposition to violence. Thomas Midwinter the son of a prosperous Lincolnshire grain merchant is a young man who is trying to find a purpose in life, Thomas often hears those strange voices too. His sister Sonia is about to start married life with Mr Prendergast who she has chosen to marry for no other reason but convenience.
Sonia manages to persuade her husband to take a holiday in France and Thomas goes along too. Deauville is where the two teenagers meet and that chance meeting blossoms into an adoring and long lasting friendship. They train in medicine together, specialising in mental health and eventually pool their resources and open a clinic in Austria where they can offer treatment to the mentally ill, among their patients is Jacques brother Olivier.
Sonia's marriage comes to an end as her husband seems intent on gambling his life away and as she starts to see more of Jacques the inevitable happens. Thomas finds love in a very mercurial way when a young woman enters their Austrian clinic and complains of chest pains. Jacques and Thomas have completely different theories on her illness which lead to conflict between the friends.
It is clear that Faulks has done a substantial amount of research to be able to write so fluently about such a delicate subject and there are passages in the book which contain in depth medical conversations. But don't let that deter you, there is enough meat in the storyline to make it a good if not long read. Considering that mental health was at that point in time a very taboo subject Faulks has handled it with great empathy. The mind is a powerful tool, investigating the mind can be both fascinating yet alarming. As the story flows you are invited to take part in dissections of not only animals but the human brain too. Faulks chooses to graphically describe the interior of the mental asylum of the era.
Human Traces will have great appeal to many, on the other hand there will be an element who will recoil at the content. Sebastian Faulks gathers momentum in Human Traces, effortlessly getting into his stride. There are no great lusty affairs or scandalous moments but what the book does incredibly well is to chart the lives of the three main characters over a number of decades.. There are paragraphs that you may choose to skim but the need to know what happens to the three friends and Jacques brother Oliver far outweighs that.
If you are one of the many who are fascinated by the human mind then this may well prove a good read for you. Faulks lets his pen flow well, incorporating the complicated with the intriguing. If you stumble it won't be for long, you will soon be up and running again.
Human Traces is available on the Amazon website. The hardback is priced at around £12, but a paperback copy can be purchased for very little.
Summary: Interesting and intriguing, Sebastian Faulks hasn`t let us down.
Advantages: Amazing subject matter, well-handled and excellent characterisation Disadvantages: May be a little long for some - but I didn't want it to end.
...understand the mystery of the human mind and in particular the meeting of thought and flesh. Jacques studies under the great neurologist Charcot in Paris; Thomas sees madness close up as a junior doctor in an English county lunatic asylum." I couldn't go further than this without giving away the entire story, but all I will say is that this brief description does capture the essence of the stroy and its three central characters in Thomas, Jacques ... ...epic sweeping study of the human mind that it is. The characters are outstandingly well drawn, and the subject matter handled sensitively and in an enlightening way. It's not fluffy lighthearted bedtime reading (I'd say avoid if Marian keyes et al - urgh - is your thing) but is well worth the investment of your time and energy. Overall, another masterpiece from Faulks. Summary: Just read it! ...
laukez88 16.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks
Advantages: Thought provoking, engaging characters. Disadvantages: Heavy-going in some parts
...their journey of discovery. This is a personal journey, one which takes them all over the world, through the trials and tribulations of love and friendship and to the boundaries of controversial thought. Two different motives, two entirely different backgrounds, but one ambitious shared goal: to understand the human brain. ...
flybycandlelight 06.04.2008
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I really enjoyed this book, and spent every spare moment reading it. Like all Faulks' books, it is beautifully written and carefully constructed. It describes two idealistic and dedicated psychiatric doctors at the beginning of the 20th Century, who pursued their belief that psychiatric patients could be treated and cured at a time when the mental asylums were overflowing. It reflects Faulks' interest in human nature and provides well-researched insights into madness and the functioning of the human mind. It also traces the personal relationships of the psychiatrists in a way which is reminiscent of Scott Fitzgerald's work. A perfect book for quiet and thoughtful reading. ...
rosemary123 09.10.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks
Advantages: Tremendously researched. Captivating writing Disadvantages: Brief in places
...as they navigate their destinies. Human Traces is a compelling piece focussed on exploring the depths of human nature, a common theme in Faulks' work. As ever Faulks' background research is impeccable, I read this book while studying for medical finals and was very impressed by the clear and simple way complex ideas and themes about neurology and psychiatry were presented to the reader. This book is heart-warming and tragic, delicate and haunting ...
andrew.r.ross 02.08.2008
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I absolutely loved this book.
Hard going at times because the subject matter is dealt with in great depth - but so interesting and informative, a real insight to the study of physcology of the 20th century. A beautifully written description of relationships between friends and lovers. I couldnt put it down! ...
hels22 17.08.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks
