i enjoyed previous books by Claire North, but this didn't hit the spot in the same way. It's not a bad book but I did hope for better, unfortunately.

After witnesses the horrific death of an Africa child at the hands of a mob, William Abbey is cursed to be pursed by the boys shadow throughout his life. When the shadow catches up, the person William loves the most will die. Add in the additional curse of being a 'truth teller' - the fact that William can hear the inner most thoughts of people the closer he gets to them, and you have a wholly unique and interesting story.

Because of the curse, William has a great deal of difficulty settling anywhere. He has to keep moving to avoid the shadow, and as a result he drifts on the boundaries of society. He also has a wall that guards his inner emotions, with a frosty exterior to prevent anyone from getting too close. To get too close is to welcome death in William's world. It's a lonely existence, and at times he's a difficult character for the reader to get to know as he gives so little of himself away. I struggled to connect with him at times.

The writing here is one of the highlights. The prose are wonderfully written, and the pacing itself I found to be really engaging. There are a number of high thriller type moments to keep the reader engaged throughout, while also spending enough time developing this interesting world that feels like it's at a precipice between the delicate balance of science and magic.

An interesting, thought provoking read - I just wish I'd connected with the main character more.

Una de las mayores alegrías lectoras que me he llevado este año es ver que Claire North vuelve a las andadas, ya que tras la decepcionante The End of the Day y 84K (que reconozco no haber leído por las críticas recibidas) la autora se marca una novela con toques de terror que consigue atraer al lector desde el primer momento.

No se puede negar que The Pursuit of William Abbey sigue punto por punto las características habituales de la obra de North, como los constantes viajes por el mundo o las repeticiones y listas que usan los personajes. En este caso llama especialmente la atención cómo usa una maldición que al principio consideraremos única pero que luego evolucionará para hacer una crítica demoledora del imperialismo británico, en auge en el tiempo en que está situado el libro, finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX.
¿Es una novela de terror? Sin ser ninguna experta en la materia, diría que sí, que los elementos presentes en la maldición Abbey y el tratamiento de la «persecución» de la que es víctima así como ciertos episodios bastante truculentos de experimentación encajan perfectamente en el género. Pero mi bagaje como lectora en este sentido es demasiado pobre como para hacer una afirmación categórica.
También sería importante resaltar la labor de documentación que sin duda ha llevado a cabo la escritora, ya que refleja muchos lugares del mundo de forma bastante acertada. Me encanta también como mezcla «el Gran Juego», el espionaje entre grandes potencias, con otros elementos de lucha de clases. Este elemento me resulta especialmente atractivo, ya que sin alcanzar los niveles de Declara, es cierto que le viene como anillo al dedo a la historia para proveer a Abbey de los medios que necesita en su infinita huida hacia delante. Pero también será víctima de este juego cuando se disputen sus servicios, no siempre ofertados de manera voluntaria.
Algunos puntos negativos de la novela son la falta de empatía que despierta el protagonista y, sobre todo, un final bastante precipitado que no me acaba de convencer.
También es delicioso el párrafo en que se dedica a desgranar uno por uno los elementos diferenciadores de cada una de sus novelas anteriores (gente que no es capaz de que la recuerden, gente que vuelve a vivir su vida una y otra vez…) en un juego metaliterario para fans, siempre intentando dar una explicación científica para hechos aparentemente irresolubles.
Podemos afirmar sin temor a dudas que con The Pursuit of William Abbey Claire North vuelve a altas cotas. A ver con qué nos sorprende la próxima vez.

I really enjoy this type of book - historical, speculative and thoughtful fiction - so I'm surprised I've not made time to read North's previous (and very well regarded) books. The book follows William Abbey from colonial South Africa to the battlefields of World War I and he struggles to stay ahead of a curse laid on him by a grieving mother. By the close of the story we are left wondering whether curses are not just a different way of looking at opportunities - what we, initially, see as a burden can become a blessing with a change of viewpoint. Fascinating.

Look at that cover, this book is beautiful. It was an interesting book, but I've found myself a little lost when it comes to Claire North before and unfortunately I felt the same at times during this book. It was still worth a read but I'd recommend it for fans of Claire North. First timers might be better trying some of her earlier work to make sure it suits them!

The Pursuit of William Abbey is a fantastic, thought provoking tale, full of magic and wisdom. In 1917 Dr William Abbey is positioned in a field hospital during the First World War. He shares his life story with a nurse during the long evenings, and eventually disclosed the real reason he is there.
In 1884, the Doctor was sent to South Africa after embarrassing his father. He witness the murder of a local boy called Langa and does not intervene to stop the heinous act. The boy’s mother curses the doctor and that is where the real story begins. The shadow of the murdered boy follows the Doctor, and if it gets too close, another death will occur. The Doctor also has the ability to see inside a person’s heart to discover the truths held there.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and found it to be refreshingly original and inventive. The individual truths the Doctor discovered within the hearts of others were insightful and fascinating. I liked the path the book followed but did feel it was over long and would benefit from more editing.

I don't know if this was a problem with me or the book, but I just couldn't get into this one and unfortunately ended up dnfing it. I've enjoyed the author's previous works, but I couldn't get my head into the story or narrative of this one.

The Pursuit of William Abbey is an ingenious novel that takes us on a journey following a cursed William Abbey as he wanders the world.

William Abbey is a doctor in Africa in the late 19th century. He witnesses a horrendous attack on a young black lad called Langa by the white family that rules the community which leads to the lads death. Although horrified by the attack William Abbey does not intervene and is cursed by the boys mother which results in William being followed by Langa’s shadow which kills anyone that William loves. The curse also makes William a truth-speaker who, when Langa is close by, can read the innermost feelings of those nearby and he speaks aloud those feelings. William will die if touched by Langa and so he travels from town to town, from country to country and from continent to continent trying to avoid the shadows touch. We see the horrors of war through the insights on the Boer War and the First World War and we see the bigotry, oppression and inequality caused by the British Empire and the other great powers in Europe. When the British Intelligence Service become aware of Williams ‘gift’ they put him to work for them travelling through a troubled Europe in the early 20th century.

This novel both historical and political is inventive and extremely enjoyable.

I've read all of Claire North's books and so it was a lovely surprise to see them referred to in this one. Evidently they all exist in the same universe, where select people for whatever reason have unusual abilities that lead them on some form of thrilling journey.

As per usual, I found the concept behind this particular novel quite interesting. William's ability to see the inner truth of a person's heart is one that results in many topics for contemplation. Indeed there are several topics brought up along the way, including racism, colonialism, abuse, power and war. This is therefore by no means light going, and due to the stream of consciousness in which truths are told it can be a little difficult to read.

Taking place during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the story is rich in history. Not only is it there just as a setting but has a direct impact on William's life. The way that events unfold feel true to the events of the time period, and the treatment of others by rich white men really does get to you.

A word of warning for the book's gory descriptions - there is a fair amount of violence and the level of detail can be quite unpleasant to read.

Overall whilst there's no doubting the author's ability to devise and tell unique stories, my enjoyment level puts this book at 3 stars.

Every book North has written under this current pen name has ostensibly been a standalone. However, there is a theme developing here. Individuals who, by luck or some kind of genetic predisposition, find themselves coping with an unusual trait that takes them beyond everyday life and into the realms of the paranormal. William is another of these unfortunates – having been cursed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time – and when his shadow approaches, he divines the truth of those around him. And as his shadow gets ever closer, he is forced to babble that truth aloud.

This adventure stretches from the 1880s, and ends in 1914 in a field hospital during World War I, so you won’t be surprised to discover that it isn’t long before William’s unique ability draws down attention from the British Empire intelligence services and their department Nineteen. In return for keeping William on the move, so that his shadow is never able to completely catch up with him, he goes where they send him and learns the truth from ambassadors, princelings, other agents all around the world. It gives North an ideal opportunity to chart some of the political shenanigans that goes on during that turbulent time, which she does in impressive detail.

This is, indeed, an impressive book. The prose is impassioned and elegant, the character caught up in a horrible situation so that he is so far out of his comfort zone, he is almost drowning. And yes, if you’re sensing a but, you’re right. I didn’t really like William all that much. I didn’t like anyone all that much. While I sympathised with him intellectually, I simply found him too annoyingly wet and steeped so deeply in his own self-loathing, that I was unable to truly bond with him. And that’s a real shame, because the book is a magnificent achievement. I don’t think I’ve encountered a more impassioned and literate critique of our social value system, both then and now.

I just wish there had been a few more shafts of light and humour, which I know North is capable of writing brilliantly – because by the time I was two-thirds of the way through this one, I was conscious that I’d become a bit numbed to the ceaseless acts of violence against the poor and powerless. That might just mean I’m a really shallow person, but my sense is that if that burning anger against the social injustice of the capitalist, elitist mindset had been just a bit less intense, then there would have been room for me to jump on board, too. I’m also not a fan of the ending.

I’m conscious this sounds like one long moan – but if someone offers me the chance to read her next book, I’ll take it like a shot. North is a remarkable talent, who sees the world in a particular way and although I often find the journey alongside her uncomfortable, there is too much to admire to want to miss it. Recommended for fans of magic realism adventures with a literary edge. The ebook arc copy of The Pursuit of William Abbey was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest opinion of the book.
8/10

First of I have to say I am a massive Claire North fan, so I was especially excited to be allowed to review this title. Big thank you to Netgalley. As always, this is a beautifully written novel, and I love the way Claire writes. If you haven't encountered her work before, it's like poetry, the words role off the tongue, the pace is fast and the characters are intriguing. The story is unique, and builds to a crescendo. I like how the characters intertwine and the setting is unusual for a story like this. Moral questions are raised and will remain with you long after, leaving you wondering just what is the truth of your heart? Be interested to see what others thought of the ending, and who they thought was the real victim.

This is very difficult book to review - there's so much that could be discussed and examined.
A historical (ranging from 1880s to the edges of the battlefields of WW1) a spy, fantasy horror, examination of white colonialism, love story. I may have missed something.
The main character is a doctor banished to a small town in a colonised South Africa where he fails to intervene in the killing of a young black boy by the white townsfolk. He is then cursed by the grieving mother to have the shadow of the boy follow him forever. The curse is not unique, as it turns out, other cultures around the world are capable of cursing people (or blessing them). As the shadow approaches, the bearer can see the truth in the hearts of those around them but they must keep on the move because if the shadow touches them then someone they love will die instantly.
There's so much going on and you want to keep going to find out what happens - told largely as a monologue or stream of consciousness, the pace is fairly relentless but is quite dense. The character is relentlessly on the move, chasing, being chased, unresting. The prose feels like that as well.
Even though we spend the vast majority of the story with William Abbey as he tells his story, i didn't feel overly connected to him. That is perhaps the point, as he himself struggles to see the truth of himself even as he sees it clearly in others. He is complicated, neither a likeable hero to root for nor an unscrupulous villain.
I also enjoyed the historical aspects included, examinations on colonialism, rival powers, workers' strikes and war, all playing an important part in the tumultuous life of William Abbey.
A thought-provoking, genre-busting, dark and gripping read.

The Pursuit of William Abbey is an excellent story. It tells the tale of of an English doctor who was cursed by the mother of a dying boy after experiencing his lynching and reacting indifferently towards it. This story explores themes of colonialism, the other world and of guilt. Claire North writes with skill and true perception. She is talented and so diverse in her writing. In her gripping, moving, and thoroughly thought-provoking new novel she proves yet again that she is a force to be reckoned with in modern fiction. She is the gift that keeps on giving in modern writing. I adore her work and can't wait for her next instalment.

*Many thanks to Claire North, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
My first novel by Ms North, but definitely I'll read more of her books as William Abbey's story turned out to be a powerful and very much unsettling one. A young doctor who in the 1880s finds himself practising in South Africa, witnesses a hineous crime committed on a black boy and remains just an observer. The boy's mother curses William and from now on he is pursued by the shadow of the boy all over the world and tragic revenge is taken when the shadow manages to catch up with William.
This is not a comfort read as through William Abbey's eyes we are shown the world of politics and the British Empire stripped of any sentimentalities or glamour. This is the world of real politics, of families for whom emotions are unknown and of the guilt and remorse which come too late.