The Ninth Circle – Alex Bell
Hachette Livre Gollancz, 2008
RRP: AU$32.99
ISBN: 978-057-508027-0

Reviewed by Kate Smith

The Ninth Circle by Alex Bell is not simply another mystery story which is diverting at the time of reading but is ultimately of little impact on the reader. For a reader looking for something different, both in subject matter and style, this novel is well worth a read. The story builds from being a simple tale of a man struggling to come to terms with amnesia to a much more complicated one with serious questions about morality and the nature of religion. If the reader does not seek to guess ahead of the story it is very easy to become swept away and to feel the situation as Gabriel, the central character, sees it. Bell’s manner of writing communicates the confusion and desperation Gabriel experiences, and this makes for an engrossing read. The story is brought together nicely at the end, completing the story arc and ensuring the reader is clear about the situation Gabriel has finally taken some measure of control over.

Empathy between the reader and the main character is well crafted and allows some measure of confusion in the mind of the reader as events are revealed and certain assumptions are challenged. This connection and the time spent on building up Gabriel as a character allows the reader to consider the high level issues being brought up from an individual, small picture point of view, in what is obviously a big picture situation. This idea of different perspectives is often difficult for some people to communicate and Bell does this well. The story is perhaps a little clumsy at times but this is understandable given the limited amount of space Bell has to convey his tale. This reader would perhaps have like the novel to be a little longer in order to explain itself and it’s characters to a greater degree.

I would not consider The Ninth Circle is not a book for teenagers, younger teenagers especially, as there are particular characters and people mentioned that work better with some background knowledge. However, Bell does explain these characters enough to allow the reader to understand the importance of their role. The setting also may prove to be a little beyond the imagining of the younger reader, as may the moral and ethical issues being raised. That being said, this novel is well worth a read.