If you love dark, twisty literary fiction with a surreal edge, "Headhunter" is a wild ride. Timothy Findley mashes up classic literature, magical realism, and psychological drama, all set in a vividly rendered near-future Toronto. Fans of books that grapple with madness and morality - especially if you enjoy a little metafiction - will be fascinated. It’s perfect for those who appreciate Conrad’s "Heart of Darkness", complex characters, and plenty of big ideas.

Who May Not Like This Book:

This one isn’t for the faint of heart. Some readers find it bleak, with heavy and disturbing content (there are unsettling subplots involving psychiatric illness and child exploitation). If you dislike multiple intertwining storylines and a large cast that can get hard to track, you may get lost or overwhelmed. And if you prefer hopeful or lighthearted books, this may feel too grim or intense.

A bold, dark, and imaginative modern classic - challenging but rewarding, especially for literary fiction fans who don’t mind heavy themes.

About:

"Headhunter" by Timothy Findley is a dark and complex novel set in near-future Toronto during an epidemic of sturnusemia. The story follows a former librarian with paranoid schizophrenia who believes she has released the evil Kurtz from "The Heart of Darkness" and must find Marlow to help her return him to his proper place. As the plot unfolds, various characters are introduced, blurring the lines between good and evil, sanity and insanity. The narrative weaves together elements of magic powers, the plague, pedophiles, and schizophrenia, creating a gripping and multifaceted tale.

The writing style of Timothy Findley in "Headhunter" has been praised for its uniqueness and dark humor, reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut but with a distinctly Canadian touch. is lauded for its exploration of somber and difficult themes while remaining engaging and thought-provoking, leaving readers contemplating its intricacies long after finishing it.

Characters:

Characters are richly developed, often struggling with mental illness, which contributes to the book's exploration of sanity and societal issues.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a unique and polished style, blending dark humor with literary depth, making it both engaging and thoughtful.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intricately weaves together themes of madness, the supernatural, and societal decay, with numerous characters and subplots that create a chaotic yet engaging atmosphere.

Setting:

The setting is a dystopian Toronto, effectively establishing a dark and foreboding backdrop for the unfolding narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally well-executed, although some readers feel it could benefit from further development to enhance depth.

Notes:

The book is set in a near-future Toronto, dealing with an epidemic called sturnusemia.

Many characters in the book struggle with mental illness, particularly schizophrenia.

One character believes she can release fictional characters into reality.

Rupert Kurtz, a character from Heart of Darkness, escapes into modern Toronto.

The narrative includes disturbing themes, like child exploitation.

Timothy Findley's writing style is described as dense and mannered.

There are references to Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness throughout the book.

The plot involves a mix of magic, psychiatric themes, and a social epidemic.

Lilah Kemp is a central character who inadvertently triggers the chaos in the story.

The readers found the book entertaining despite its dark and heavy subjects.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental illness, child exploitation, and disturbing psychological scenarios.

From The Publisher:

It all starts when Lilah Kemp - librarian, spiritualist, schizophrenic - inadvertantly lets Kurtz out of page 92 of Heart of Darkness and is unable to get him back in.

While Kurtz is stalking the streets of Toronto, Lilah frantically begins her search for Marlow to help her deal with the literary villain Meanwhile, the city is becoming increasingly chaotic and terrifying. The rich and powerful are engaged in a web of depravity, a new and horrifying disease called sturnusemia has swept the city, and severly traumatized children are turning up at the local psychiatric institutes.

Kurtz seems to be at the centre of it all. Lilah, witness to events tearing the very fabric of her society, seeks solace as always in the great works of literature and prays for Marlow to find an capture Kurtz - before it's too late.

What can you read after
Headhunter?

See the list (34 books)

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Headhunter

Timothy Findley

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