805. The Book of Evidence

The Book of Evidence
John Banville
1989
Around 225 pages

Atwood, now Banville, and we have Irving coming up! Somewhere in my youth and childhood, I must have done something good.

Freddie Montgomery is our unreliable narrator who tells his life story, recounting the events leading up to his arrest for the murder of a servant girl in one of Ireland's "big houses." Freddie was an Anglo-Irish scientist who, after living abroad for many years, returns to his family home seeking money. Upon his arrival, he discovers that his mother sold the family's collection of paintings, and Freddie attempts to recover them, leading to the eventual murder of a maid.

I'm not familiar with the crime that inspired this novel, although apparently the real life murderer Malcom Edward MacArthur (why do killers always have three names?) attended an interview with Banville at Trinity College after he was paroled. That must have been awkward. 

I really enjoy Banville's prose, even if I've had enough novels that unpack the psychology of men who commit violence against women for a lifetime. So not my favorite Banville, but still a decent read.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Banville released a sequel, Ghosts, in 1989.

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