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James Robertson

The Testament of Gideon Mack Hardcover – 1 June 2006

by James Robertson (Author)

128 ratings

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Set in contemporary Scotland, the novel uses the literary device of a 'discovered' manuscript - the testament of Gideon Mack - which has fallen into the hands of a journalist. A son of the manse, Mack has grown up in an austere and chilly house, dominated by a joyless father. Unable to believe in God, he is far more attracted by the forbidden cartoons on television. Father and son clash fatally one day and it may be guilt which drives Mack to take up a career in the Church.
This minister, who doesn't believe in God, the Devil or an afterlife, one day discovers a standing stone in the middle of a wood where previously there had been none. Unsure what to make of this apparition, Mack's life begins to unravel dramatically until the moment when he is swept into a mountain stream, which pours down a chasm before disappearing underground. Miraculously Mack emerges three days later, battered but alive. He seems to have lost his mind however, since he claims that while underground he met the Devil.
To this story Robertson adds a wealth of insight about the mood of post-war Scotland on the brink of the social revolution of the Sixties and dramatises the country's struggle to stay true to its history while swimming within the powerful current of Americanization. Written with great lyricism, tight pacing, superlative storytelling and immense imaginative power, this is Robertson's most ambitious and accessible novel to date.

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Product details

Publisher : Hamish Hamilton (1 June 2006)
Language : English
Hardcover : 400 pages
ISBN-10 : 024114325X
ISBN-13 : 978-0241143254
Dimensions : 16.3 x 3.5 x 24.1 cm

Customer Reviews:
128 ratings

Product description

About the Author

James Robertson is the author of The Fanatic, Joseph Knight, The Testament of Gideon Mack, And the Land Lay Still, and The Professor of Truth. Hamish Hamilton published his most recent novel, To Be Continued. Joseph Knight won the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year and the Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year, The Testament of Gideon Mack was longlisted for the 2006 Man Booker Prize, and And the Land Lay Still won the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year. Robertson is also the author of four short story collections, most recently 365: Stories, five poetry collections and numerous children's books written in English and Scots. He runs the independent publishing house Kettillonia, and he is co-founder and general editor of the Scots language imprint Itchy Coo, which produces books in Scots for children and young adults.

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Customer reviews

5 star		69%
4 star		19%
3 star		5%
2 star		4%
1 star		3%

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Top review from Australia

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Aussie Booklover

A dark morality tale not for the faint of heart!

Reviewed in Australia on 6 December 2020

A week ago I finished listening to the audible version of this book which was well narrated and held my attention throughout. But, it has taken me until now to process the book fully before writing this review. The book can be understood on different levels. On a superficial level, it is suspenseful and at times amusing. A ripping good story. But on a deeper level, it is a dark morality tale about a man who never really moves beyond his unfortunate beginnings. Gideon made all the wrong choices in life and justified each one of them along the way. It all seems quite plausible from Gideon’s perspective, despite him leaving out some saliant bits along the way. But even so, we as the reader knew from early on that he was heading for a fall. In that respect it was not just a dark morality tale but a tragic one. My feeling was ‘what a wasted life’ and ‘for what?’. So, this book is not for the faint of heart but is still an excellent read (or listen) for anyone wanting a story that gives you a lot to ponder about during and afterwards.

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Dionysus

Compelling and intriguing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2018

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This book was selected for discussion at a book group I belong to. I am really looking forward to it.

It is the first James Robertson book I have read and I anticipate that it won't be the last. The narrative is highly compelling and the characters are very interesting.

I like the structure of a book within a book. We have a life story of a Church of Scotland minister which culminates in his disappearance and later death. It culminates in his near death experience and his claim that he has met and conversed with the Devil. The idea is so intriguing. Has he taken temporary leave of his senses? Is this a reaction against his avowed atheism or a reaction against his oppressive upbringing as a son of the manse? How reliable a narrator is he really?

While the narrative appears to be rational, it is clear that his friends and acquaintances are increasingly viewing with unease.

It ends with so many intriguing unanswered questions, which I hope will lead to some good boozy discussion.

I recommend the book very highly.

2 people found this helpful

Pete Cowell

Predestined to Delight

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2018

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If you enjoy reading about the downfall of Scottish Presbyterian ministers in the tradition of James Hogg's Private Memoirs, then Gideon Mack is for you. Throughout the narrative, you get a sense that something hideously awful is going to happen to our errant minister, and there's nothing he can do to avoid it. Wonderful stuff.

Yet while Robertson's novel is certainly dark, it is also funny, witty and moving. Personally, I'd have liked to have seen a bit more outright evil being committed, but maybe that's just me. Gideon Mack makes for a thrilling literary escape, so enjoy it.

One person found this helpful

Christopher Morgan

The New Testament

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2008

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The testament of Gideon Mack is a hugely innovative story told from the point of view of the minister of a small Scottish town by the name of Monimaskit. The story is from his point of view and tells the engrossing story of his life. I wont write another synopsis but would instead like to offer my opinion of the sheer brilliance of the construction of this story. This is the first book of its kind I have ever read, I have never experienced a book with so many unanswered questions that doesnt leave me feeling let down.

The whole book is one big mystery really, some of the key points that bug you throughout but never get answered include;

Does Gideon Mack meet the devil or is he mad?
Is the 'devil' really the devil or god showing the way to a man who has lost his faith?
Is the devil really Gideons friend or is he setting him up for the ultimate downfall?

These key aspects never get properly answered, there are hints both for and against the arguments but I personally have reached no conclusion on any of them, in many cases this would leave you frustrated but in Gideon Mack it adds to the beautiful quirkiness of the book.

The way the author writes the book has made me on more than one occasion wonder if as he says it was based on a true story (on several occasions he says this is the case and that only the names and places have been changed). This more than anything is testament to how great a read it is, I am 100% atheist but there may somewhere have been a story of a man just like this who quite possibly went mad.

Gideon Mack himself is a very engaging character who you are never quite sure if you like or not or for that matter if it would be right to like him.

My only criticism would be when the author writes in 'Scottish tongue'. I don't know if it is actually Scottish and for the short conversations it does not bother me. In around the middle of the book however there is a short story told purely in this manner which for me was a 10 page write off as I did not have the patience to wade through it at snail pace.

Overall however I would highly recommend this especially to people who enjoyed books such as THE BOOK THIEF and SHADOW OF THE WIND. They all feel strangely similar and are real 'sit back and relax' tales of life that should be enjoyed by just about any reader. Take my word for it this is a definite must have book.

4 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Superb

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 February 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought this originally in a charity shop as it looked ‘interesting’ and it instantly became one of my all-time favourites. It manages to be simultaneously witty, ironic, clever and poignant.

It’s one of those books that makes you think about long after you’ve finished reading it.

One person found this helpful

Hannah Lynn, Author of the hilarious and uplifting novel, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus

Quite simply amazing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 July 2013

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The problem with this book is, when you finish it you want everyone to read it, but are completely unwilling to let them have your copy as it is one of those books you want to keep.
A thoroughly engaging account of Mack's mysterious disappearance that leaves you questioning more than just your beliefs. The story is deftly told with style and substance. It is completely engrossing and one of the best books I have EVER read.
Buy it now.

3 people found this helpful

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The Testament of Gideon Mack Hardcover – 1 June 2006

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