Gormenghast - interpretations of this great trilogy

[mentalbunny]

I have read Titus Groan and am in the process of reading Gormenghast.

It is intersting to see how Steerpike is portrayed, peake emphasises the cold intelligence of this young man, almost admiring him yet disgusted by him. Obviously Peake sees Titus and Fushia as the real heroes, along with Dr Prunesquallor but in differnt ways. Dr Prune is not "of the blood" yet he respects the traditions of the castle, whereas Titus and Fushia hate the place and want to escape to a world unrestricted by ritual. This is why Fushia finds Steerpike so seductive, although she is also repulsed because he is prepared to use any means to reach his goal.

I am looking for other interpretations of this and of the story as a possible alegory of something, who do Titus and Fushia represent? The others are rpetty obvious but these two confound me, I haven't got much of an idea aobut them, prehaps they are "normal" people, where Prune is jsut right of the centre, most of the castle is further right, steerpike is much more left and Fushia and Titus are just left of the centre. But it must be deeper than that.

it's a fascinating read, if you haven't come across it, please look out for it, the BBC mini-series was quite entertaining and works on different levels too. Peake has an intersting style, his vocabulary speaks of fairy tales but he fails to move the reader to in depth empathy. However I doubt that is his goal as the castle is stoical and that is reflected in his style.

[Felicia]

I haven't read the books, however I did watch it on, ugh, PBS. But I can't really offer anything. :(

[doolally]

-I adore the first 2 books in this trilogy, cannot recall being so moved by the death of a fictional character as I was the first time I read them.

-for me it reads a a straight critique of British Colonialism, especially post-ww2 when the U.S. called in their debts and the brits just kept right on spending and claiming everything was fine.

-I advise against watching the PBS verison if you've not read the books. It's like watching a flower open under glass and in black and white - you miss so much texture.

-dool

[mentalbunny]

it's good to find someone else who's read these incredible books. I'm three quarters of the way through Gormenghast and have to buy Titus Alone soon.

I saw the TV version first, I think it's the same one as you were tlaking about but I live in the UK so it's called the BBC version, it has Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Steepike, right? I loved Fushia in that and she's even better in the book. My mum has given our house the nickname of Gormenghast castle, apparently I'm Fushia, my sister is Steerpike, my grandfather was Sepulchrave, but he died a few yeards ago, althgouh my mum lives as though he is still alive, following similar routines.

Anyway, I digress. Which bit did you find most powerful out of the books? I am only just starting to find real emotion now Titus has grown up, before I find the whole narration of the events quite detached.

[doolally]

-yah, I found the trilogy in my local used book store; all three side-by-each. had never heard of them and somehow thought I should have. initially I was drawn in by Peake's skill with language, what does he say on the first page about the Tower? 'by night the owls make of it an echoing throat'? lovely.

-but very quickly it became clear how much he loved his characters. he adored them and made me adore them too. and the books are so...rich, the world so fully realised and felt. Peake's imagination is so strong and defined.

-and I'm talking about the BBC version, also - the only one I know of. it's pretty, and well cast [loved Richard Griffiths as Swelter - Monty Lives!] but such a hollow vessel compared to the books.

-i have some of Peake's other books, 'Peake's Progress' and 'Mr Pye' and, while fun and amusing, they're not as striking as the trilogy.

-dool

[mentalbunny]

I'm reading the bit where Titus meets the thing properly, I see what yo mean about the characters, he knwos they are human but he writes with such affection for them, even Steerpike at the beginning in a way, as he says how intelligent, etc, he is.

I love Fushia, but then that's to be expected as a teenage girl. i also really like the doctor as he is obviously so much more intelligent than the rtest and not completely obsessed with the "stones" in any real way.

[doolally]

-male or female, young or old, gay, straight or other...

...everyone falls in love with Fushia

/smile

-and I have a fondess for Dr. Prune cos, apart from Sepulchrave, he's the only character that expresses real love for Fuschia. And he's gentle and kind.

-dool

[mentalbunny]

I also really like titus, and i can see why Steerpike could be attractive (although mainly that's down to him being played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the tv version).