This is one of the most impressive first novels of an author I think I may ever read. I still find it so hard to believe that with his first book -this- is the type of quality he could deliver. The story of Observatory Mansions is so weird and eccentric and crazy and unbelievable. A child who collects random items that grows into an obsessive man who can't even stand the sight of his own hands. A father who is deadly still and silent because he has found his inner stillness. Neighbors that seem to be the most exaggerated annoyances of all time, yet you still feel a bond with them as you see the world Carey unravels before you. The first page is so well written you can't help but wish to continue reading this makeshift story of love and friendships and ultimately of lose. You begin to truly care about Carey's characters even the most outlandish habits and rituals only work to enforce your feelings towards Twenty, Francis, and all the characters in the mansion.To give a brief summary (although it will not do justice to the novel I hope it sparks someone to pick it up) Observatory Mansions is a building that was once a prized home for a wealthy family the Orme's, but now it has been turned into an apartment building one that sticks out like a sore thumb in the thriving city that has swallowed it. The building is only the first sign of out of place in the story as every tenant within the build seems to have something outrageously odd about them. You follow a changing lifestyle from the eyes of Francis Orme the last member of the original family who owned Observatory Mansions. His parents both still alive could hardly be called living. The story really begins the day the new tenant moves into the building. She seems to be the most normal of the people within the building. Ultimately Carey unwinds his majestic story into a heart tugging love story that makes you hope for the best with the characters and you just long to see them find happiness. It's considered and classified as a post modern novel and in the true nature of post modern the word carnival will tell you more about this book than any other.Carey delivers in his first novel what many authors never accomplish. Characters with tragic flaws that become more lovable than the most heroic of people. A story that guides you through all the twist and turns patting your hand to keep you calm the whole way. You find at the end the most amazing relief when you close the book because you feel "it'll all be okay." I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys something different and loves a story full of exciting characters.
Brilliant, humorous and thoughtfully sentimental.This is a book of gentle manners, of living in the dust and clutter of the past, both physically and emotionally, and of learning to live in the sunshine and fresh air of the present. The fundamental conflict is an inner one: Does one remain true to one's self (for the sake of one's own future at the expense of the past), or does one remain true to one's past (at the expense of one's future)? The narrator is a sweet, gentle soul, highly observant, highly sensitive, and prone to stealing things -- little knick-knacks, small sentimental objects, at least for the most part! -- that he adds to his own personal museum of personal memories.He is also tending the family estate, a dusty old home that has been split into apartments, and which is sitting in the midst of a city growing rapidly around it.A young woman moves in, and ... oh, you know. Upside-down it all goes. But gently. Smartly. Observationally. But there is brutality as well. A quiet gothic brutality, a masochistic indifference which appears from time to time, between different characters under different circumstances. There is always this soft, dark reminder that sometimes memories have prices.The plot is simple, but the sentiments throughout are complex. The observations into human nature are remarkable, and the climax near the end is actually quite moving. It's a slightly odd book, call it quirky, but I loved every moment of it.
Do You like book Observatory Mansions (2002)?
This book is full of eccentric, odd characters who have lived for years alongside the equally eccentric narrator Frances Orne in Observatory Mansions. All their strangeness goes unnoticed until a new resident moves into the residence. At this point, the backstory of each character is revealed and we understand how extreme behaviors and appearances are just ways to cope with traumatic experiences of life. Carey writes with amazing attention to detail and originality. This visual experience of reading was furthered by Carey's own dark and surreal illustrations, which accompanied the start of many chapters. A great first book. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
—Catherine
I was absolutely overjoyed to find a copy of Observatory Mansions at a used book store last weekend! My library only has Alva and Irva which was marvelous, but this was even more so.The story was strange, tragic, funny, [slightly] twisted, touching... There are so many adjectives I could use and they wouldn't describe half of it. (The story reminded me, or the first 100 pages did, at least, of We Have Always Lived in the Castle meets the film Amélie... only twice as odd.)Originally, I was wishy washy and gave this book 4.5 stars. But the more I thought about it, the more it grew in my estimation. 5 brilliantly shining stars from me!Edward Carey has written two books of stunning originality in every aspect, and I fervently hope he writes more. I am officially a fan of his.
—Melee
This is another retrospective review which I'm doing as this was a stand out book for me. The reason I enjoyed it so much is because, although never stated, the narrator appears to have something close to high functioning autism - at least that's how I perceived him. He finds interacting with people extremely difficult while he obsesses over the tiniest details. And all the eccentric characters you meet are equally as fascinating. The other great thing is that you get the impression that it's set in the present tense (at least around the time the book was released), but the narrator's way of talking makes you feel as if it's set some years before the modern world happened.The way the story moves is also really clever and things which seem to randomly happen end up being pivotal to the development of the story.There also these fantastic illustrations by Carey in the book which depict some of the characters you meet along the way. I would say get this in paperback rather than digital if you ever think you're going to read it.I read Carey's follow up novel, Alva and Irva, and was largely disappointed. However, I look forward to reading his newer books which I believe are aimed at a younger audience.Another one in my top 10.
—Rupert Dreyfus
