The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley - Sean Lusk

 

This book first hit my radar when I saw it discussed on BBC Two’s Between the Covers last year. But I didn’t act upon that recommendation. My interest was piqued again when the book was long listed for the Walter Scott Historical Fiction Prize. I was fortunate enough to win the entire long list on a social media giveaway! I am still pinching myself in disbelief at such a generous prize. By the time my prize arrived though the shortlist had been announced and unfortunately The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley did not make it. I focused on the shortlist promising myself that I would read the remaining long listed books when I had fulfilled my current deadlines and commitments. That time has come and this is the first book from those remaining that I’ve chosen. A very good choice I’d say! I couldn’t put it down. I read on and on putting my insomnia to good use and I was totally captivated by Abel and Zachary and Franny and Leonora and Tom and Mrs Morley, and, and, and…….EVERYONE!

I think in part I can understand why the book didn’t make the shortlist for as much as the book is historical with a wealth of research into the Ottoman Empire and the hierarchy of an 18th-century court in Constantinople. It is more than that. It’s a coming-of-age story, it’s an adventure story, a mystery story and it’s utterly spellbinding.The historical research is impeccable, not least from the description of the Istanbul sequences in the book. But Abel and his automata are so palpably depicted that you can hear and see them in your own second sight! Zachary‘s gift also propelled the book towards the fringes of magical realism.

The relationships between the characters are great and believable. One of the endorsements on the cover of the book references a Dickensian feel to them, which is absolutely spot-on. The book also embraces the traditional approach to storytelling that is also in the Dickensian tradition. 

The plot is detailed, clever and well constructed and the dovetailing and significance between one event and another is seamless offering the reader a most satisfying continuity. Even as the narrative switches from Tring to Istanbul to Lundy and more, there’s no sense of fragmentation. The locations nestle together despite the disparate distances involved.  I think that works so well because the journeys undertaken were not just of a physical nature. They seemed to be of a spiritual and emotional one too.

It’s an absolutely delightful book, and I hope that some enterprising filmmaker might see fit to bring a celluloid element to the tale.