Brian Lynch (2) (1945–)

The English poet William Cowper (1731-1800) was noted for his hymns...and for his mental health. He suffered from depression throughout his life, was subject to fits of insanity, and attempted suicide on several occasions. -- 'The Winner of Sorrow' is a novel about Cowper's life, and it is no doubt a faithful expression of what it must be like to be mad, for it is a difficult book to follow: the chronology is not clearly laid out (there are jumps in time), the introduction (and disappearance) of characters is most confusing, and one simply at times does not know what is going on. I did not find the book terribly engaging or interesting -- I merely persisted at it for the author's occasional turns of phrases (which earn the second star in my rating). The book came highly recommended, but it was a great disappointment. (I was also surprised that John Newton did not loom larger in the book, as he and Cowper were close associates and friends for close to ten years...)… (mais)