"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Of course, rewriting a page-turner from the past offers some major perils, not the least of them being comparisons to the original. Carey, however, more than withstands the test of time, alluding to the formality of Victorian prose without ever bending over backward to duplicate it. In addition, his eye for physical detail--and the ways in which such details open small or large windows onto character--is on par with that of Dickens. Here, for example, he pins down both the body and soul of a household servant: "Miss Mott was lean and sinewy and there was nowhere much for such a violent shiver to hide itself. Consequently it went right up her spine and disappeared inside her little white cap and then, just when it seemed lost, it came out the other side and pulled up the ends of her thin mouth in a grimace." Throw in a wicked mastery of period slang, a subplot about Victorian mesmerism (of which Dickens was, in fact, a practitioner), and an amazing storytelling gift, and you have a novel which meets and exceeds almost any expectation one might bring to it.
"A rousing old-fashioned narrative. . . . [that] stands on its own as an adventure story." --The New York Times Book Review
"We have a great novelist living on the planet with us, and his name is Peter Carey." --Los Angeles Times Book Review
"Imaginative and audacious . . . A twentieth-century, post-colonial Dickens novel . . . This strange, bold, gripping, and wonderful novel is the story of a power struggle, a double love story, a quest story, and a story of trickery and disguise. It's about taking possession--of an inheritance, of another person's soul, of your own destiny--and being taken possession of. Not least, it's the story of one writer's being possessed by another."
--Hermione Lee, The Observer
"Uncommonly exciting and engaging. As much as anyone now writing, Peter Carey is a master of storytelling. His empathy with his characters, combined with his psychological sharp-sightedness, has them almost jumping off the page in full human complexity. An especial bonus is his style . . . Vivid, exact, unexpected images and language match the quick, witty intelligence flickering through this novel, and make it a triumph of ebullient indictment, humane insight, and creative generosity."
--Peter Kemp, Sunday Times (London)
"Writing and philosophical contemplations of the highest order . . . On a par with, and more interesting than, his two earlier masterpieces . . . An absorbing, beautifully written novel finished off with a most satisfactory happy ending, and with incidents, an atmosphere, and ideas that linger in the mind."
--Carmen Callil, The Daily Telegraph
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 39791686-75
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Copyright 1997; First Published UK 1997. Hardcover. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. Interior clean and unmarked. Tight binding. Seller Inventory # MAN03299
Book Description Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 28-0679309187-G
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. 306 pg. Glued binding. Paper over boards. Book is straight with strong binding and clean text. Cover and boards show moderate wear. Light stain to top edge at head of spine. Previous owner's book plate on front endpaper. A good reader copy. First Canadian Edition 1998. Seller Inventory # ABE-1525978631225
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # FORT601407
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Canadian Edition. | Fine in fine dustjacket. Seller Inventory # 006291
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. 1st Edition. As new copy with Brodart cover.(see picture) 306 pages. Signed by the author on the title page. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 007592
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Canadian Edition. A novel of Dickensian London by the Booker Prize winner for ' Oscar and Lucinda '. 306 pp. Blue cloth half spine has gilt text and is matched with yellow boards. Spine ends are very slightly rubbed and small glue stain is found neat top of spine on front panel, ow book is as new. Unclipped ( $32.00) DJ has slight edge wear, bottom front corner has 1/2" closed tear. Bookseller's inventory # 143720. Seller Inventory # 003720
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. 1st Edition. NY: Knopf, 1997. First American Edition. First printing. As New/As New. Hardbound. SIGNED by author on title page. Author has signed his name only, with no inscriptions. A tight unread copy. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 4745