What would you do if you met the Devil? What would you do if he saved your life? Would you think you had gone mad? What would you do about everybody else thinking you had gone mad? These are just a few of the questions tormenting the eponymous hero of James Robetson's excellent The Testament of Gideon Mack.

Gideon Mack is a forty-something Scottish Minister who goes missing after a period of odd behaviour. Tragically his dead body is found a few days later. Also found, tucked away in a guest house where he was last seen, is a hand written document detailing his life story which culminates in a meeting with the Devil. This document is now in the hands of a publisher, whose notes form the prologue and epilogue of this extraordinary novel.

This is a very well written book that takes its time to tell a fascinating story. Gideon reveals early on that something strange has happened to him. He encounters a mysterious standing stone that has appeared from nowhere. Later he falls into a dangerous river when attempting to rescue a friend's dog. He's feared dead, but returns unexpectedly after spending, he claims, three days in a cave with the Devil. James Robertson doesn't keep these peculiar events secret from us, but he keeps the reader waiting until he explores them fully. Much of The Testament of Gideon Mack involves Gideon's life from childhood to adulthood; his strict father, his university days, his marriage and decision to go into the Church. Robertson is very skilled in making a mostly ordinary life very interesting. He is also skilled in inviting the reader to read between the lines. How much of an affect did Gideon's father really have on him? Was his marriage a happy one? Is he telling the absolute truth?

The Testament of Gideon Mack reminded me of Life of Pi by Yann Martel. If you've read that novel, you no doubt had to make the decision whether a fantastic story took place or not, or whether it merely existed in the imagination of its narrator. James Robetson doesn't make this an easy decision to make with this book; there's plently of clues in this subtle novel to make you want to reread it so you can make your mind up fully. Did he or didn't he?

This novel is fascinating, witty and at times quite disturbing. Highly recommended.