The author of Gates of Eden is Ethan Coen, one half of the Coen brothers’ collaborative ‘two-headed director’ (the other being Joel Coen), who together are well-known for classic films such as Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and Burn After Reading.
As the Coens have made some incredible films, it was fascinating to look at Ethan’s approach to the literary world.
The stories of Gates of Eden are engaging on many levels. The characters are convincing, in a way rarely seen in print, and the dialogue is as poignant and idiosyncratic as in any Coen film script, making the dialogue one of the highlights of the book.
The Stories
So, what are the stories? There is a boxer turned detective, an organized crime syndicate lacking organization, and a man who simply wants to convince the reader his wife is deserving of death. There are fifteen stories in all. Each story is different in theme and subject, but they all share a similar tone and structure. As mentioned, each story is a snapshot into the world of their respective characters, catching them at any point Coen sees fit, and leaving them sometimes unexpectedly.
A recurring approach throughout Gates of Eden is that of each story’s shaky, unconventional plotline. The stories are rarely told in the traditional sense – a beginning, middle, and an end. Rather, the stories tend to have characters, strong characters, who scatter around in their lives, and often bare their souls, before the narrative comes to an abrupt halt. This isn’t always the case, however, as some of the stories do actually work like ‘episodes’ of the fortunes or misfortunes of the characters.
A Thrilling Read
All blended together, Gates of Eden makes for an exciting read, a seemingly random ride into gritty US society, where anything can happen (and does), to anyone, in any way. There are no rules, no solid structures, but that, if you like that sort of thing, is part of the appeal.
Writing Style, Quality
Regarding writing style, Coen doesn’t disappoint. The characters of Gates of Eden are passionate, full of conviction, and they have a manner of seducing you into their world and mind frame.
The first-person narrated stories are ingenious, a delight in intelligent literary prose.
Coen’s ear for dialogue and sense of timing are solid, swift, confident, and hugely impressive, as is apparent from the Coen brothers’ screenplay-writing talent. These elements are incorporated here to great effect.
Some of the stories take the form of scripts, or (screen) plays. These are stylish, unique, refreshing when they pop up amid the flow of prose, and almost allow an experience of mini films from the mind of Coen.
The characters and their passions can be so authentic and persuasive, they may unsettle you to the point you have to stop, look around, and remember it’s just fiction.
Recommended Book
Gates of Eden is a solid, substantial work. It is gritty, dark, stylish, even sexy at times. It is unassuming, and daring, a further example of the endless possibilities of the written word. If the lack of consistent plotlines and structures bothers you none, then this one’s a winner. An enjoyable read.
Gates of Eden by Ethan Coen, Harper Perenniel, ISBN-10 0061684880 ISBN-13 978-0061684883
Ferdi Mehmet - I work in journalism, performing writer/research roles for newspapers in the London area. My real passion is for writing fiction - novels, ...
