About this title: This novel about idealism and its attendant disappointments begins in the fifth century B.C.E., when a scholarly writer named Manlius devoted his life to upholding the ideals of civilization against creeping barbarism--a resolve that includes armed force. The story continues into the 14th century, during the time of the Black Plague, when an agent seeking out ancient manuscripts for Pope Clement VI (of the Avignon Papacy) comes across Manlius's Neoplatonist manuscript ("The Dream of Scipio"), and inspired by his own high ideals tries to circumvent another plague, that of anti-Semitism. ...
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Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780224060165ISBN:0224060163
Description: Good. *** Expect to see light wear and some spine creasing *** Dispatched in padded packaging. ** UK SELLER-Get it in days not weeks ** read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780099284581ISBN:0099284588
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780224060165ISBN:0224060163
Description: Good. This is an EX-LIBRARY COPY. We only offer carefully selected, quality books, in this category. The normal stamps and labels may be present and the front flysheet has been tidily removed. The supplying library will benefit financially from your purchase. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780099284581ISBN:0099284588
Description: Good. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780099284581ISBN:0099284588
Description: Good. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780224060165ISBN:0224060163
Description: Hardcover, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in good all round condition. Ships within 24 hours., 750grams, ISBN: 0224060163. read more
"An ambitious book which tries to weave together three inter-related narratives from different periods of history. The project seems to be to contrast secular and faith-based views of civilization, pragmatism and idealism, practicality and bravado, Christanity and Platonism and what it means to be complicit with the wrong side for what you have decided are the right reasons. This is explored in the contexts of the onset of the dark ages, the coming of the black plague and the Nazi occupation of France.
The historical details and philosophical by-play are very well rendered, but the narrative feels a little scattershot, with entire sections being told in a sort of discursive, academic manner, like a somewhat layperson-oriented history book, and the occasional scene that is depicted rather than reported. Told, rather than shown, you might say. It's an effective technique in shorter formats, or with a more charismatic writing style, but here it often makes for pages of rather flat narrative.
The feeling I get is that the author's reach did not quite match his grasp and, especially towards the end, there is a rushed feeling as if he is trying to plug in all his plot points before he loses it. Worthwhile for the dilemmas it touches upon, and attempts to resolve, and the feats of pseudohistorical invention, but not quite satisfactory."
"I was disappointed in this book after reading "An Instance of the Fingerpost" My friends indicated I had been set up for disappointment for life! This odd fantasy combining history, religion and social comment didn't engage me and I felt as though something was missing. I kept going back over chapters at the beginning to see if what happened later had any precedent; alas no. Couldn't figure it out."
"Fascinating amalgam of three stories, taking place at different times in history, and all 'converging' along the way. Learned one hell of alot about the medieval Catholic Church--all of which reinforced my abhorrence of any organized religion--, the last days of the Roman Empire, life in the time of the plague, and life in France under the German 'occupation' during World War II. Requires attention and a commitment to stay with the book as it is quite easy to 'lose your place' during the time jumps."
"I really disliked this book. It's rare for me to actually hate a book. I do, as a rule, like some historical fiction. This would be the exception. I think that, in theory, it has the bones of a good story but the author missed the mark. I disliked most of the characters, especially Manlius. I hated that it hopped back and forth between the time periods. This book was required reading for my son's world history course and would have taken it back to the library after the first 50 pages if I hadn't wanted to glean why the teacher was requiring it. There are probably other books that he could have used in place of it that would have been more engaging. Thank goodness I didn't have to buy the book!!"
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