Finishing the book a week ago, I think I still need to give it some time to sink in. This novel, by Timothy Findley, is a VERY dark version of the biblical Noah story. The characters have now been roundly completed, and are vividly drawn and universally flawed, in a typical Findley-esque fashion. Unpredictably, the story comes to a surprizingly bleak conclusion. I think I will appreciate this book more as I have time to think back on it...
After reading the pages 287 until the end of the book, I can finally say that I am glad to be finished reading this novel and wrapping up my series of journal responses. Being a youth, and knowing that people are fascinated by magical and mystical things, the biblical account of the 'first end of the earth' was written unbelievably insightful by the author. Some of the expressions and actions in the novel have left me awestruck.
Timothy Findley has not held back in expressing excessive elements in his confrontation of the ignorance and subsequent treachery involved in faith: placing a scientific and/or religious dichotomy in the fabled time and setting is particulary touching.
Much of the story is truely disturbing, engulfed in stenches and darknesses of different kinds, especially when the two levels of distinction are established on the ark. Noah's actions themselves are not so disturbing (except for the scene with Emma and the Unicorn horn), but his all-together set of beliefs - his heartfelt and sacrimonial conviction - that his actions are justified by "God". His "God", his 'friend', and his offered of impunity. I am quite content that Noah has finally realized that Yaweh has perished, and is not returning to help him through the tough times: "And [Yaweh] to return to us... from His great sleep,