Although the Cleves generally revelled in every detail of their family history, the events of 'the terrible Mother's Day' were never, ever discussed. On that day, nine-year-old Robin Cleves, was found hanging by the neck from a rope slung over a black-tupelo tree in his own garden. Twelve years later, the mystery - with its taunting traces of foul play - was no nearer a solution than it had been on the day it happened.This isn't good enough for Robin's youngest sister Harriet. Only a baby when the tragedy occurred, but ...
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Although the Cleves generally revelled in every detail of their family history, the events of 'the terrible Mother's Day' were never, ever discussed. On that day, nine-year-old Robin Cleves, was found hanging by the neck from a rope slung over a black-tupelo tree in his own garden. Twelve years later, the mystery - with its taunting traces of foul play - was no nearer a solution than it had been on the day it happened.This isn't good enough for Robin's youngest sister Harriet. Only a baby when the tragedy occurred, but now twelve years old, Harriet is ready and eager to find and punish her brother's killer. Her closest friend Hely - who would try anything to make Harriet love him - has sworn allegiance to her call for revenge. But the world these plucky twelve-year-olds are to encounter is not child's play: it is dark, adult and all too menacing. In Donna Tartt's Mississippi, the sense of place and sense of the past mingle with rich human drama to create a powerful alchemy. Here a child's inquiring mind not only unearths telling family artefacts, but stirs up a neighbourhood nest of vipers and larceny. THE LITTLE FRIEND is a profoundly involving novel which demonstrates how the imaginary life embraces what literature we read, what special places we inhabit and what kindred souls we recognize, to help crack open even the darkest secrets life has hiding for us.
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Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $3.71, poor condition, Sold by Booksalvation rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Manchester, LANCASHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing.
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-1. Outline: -In a small Mississippi town Harriet Cleve Dusfresnes grows up in the shadow of her brother who--when she was only a baby--was found hanging dead from a black tupelo tree in their yard. His killer was never identified nor has his family in the years since recovered from the tragedy. For Harriet who has grown up largely unsupervised in a world of her own imagination her brother is a link to a glorious past she has only heard stories about or glimpsed in photograph albums. Fiercely determined precocious far beyond her 12 years and steeped in the adventurous literature of Stevenson Kipling and Conan Doyle she resolves one summer to solve the murder and exact her revenge. Harriet`s sole ally in this quest her friend Hely is devoted to her but what they soon encounter has nothing to do with child`s play: it is dark adult and all too menacing. A revelation of familial longing and sorrow The Little Friend explores crime and punishment as well as the hidden complications and consequences that hinder the pursuit of truth and justice. A novel of breathtaking ambition and power it is rich in moral paradox insights into human frailty and storytelling brilliance. -> the publisher of this PAPERBACK book is Bloomsbury Publishing The date of this copy is 2003 booksalvation have grade it as Poor and it will be shipped from our UK warehouse This book is from the Series. Shipping is Free for UK buyers and at a reasonable charge for buyer outside the UK.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $4.04, very good condition, Sold by Jenhams rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dundee, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Very good. This book is in stock now, in our UK premises. Photos of our books are available on request (the pictures you see on Alibris are NOT our own).
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $4.06, very good condition, Sold by Paul Brown Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ramsgate, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by -Bloomsbury (2003)-.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $6.64, good condition, Sold by Y-Not-Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Rotherwas, HEREFORDSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Good. Bumped edges. Scratches to the cover. Sun damage to the edges of the pages. Next day dispatch by Royal Mail. International delivery available. 1000's of satisfied customers! Please contact us with any enquiries.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $4.97, very good condition, Sold by Reuseabook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $4.97, good condition, Sold by Reuseabook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $4.99, very good condition, Sold by Brit Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milton Keynes, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $4.99, good condition, Sold by Brit Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milton Keynes, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $5.29, good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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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! Greener Books.
Add this copy of The Little Friend to cart. $5.34, good condition, Sold by Goldstone Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ammanford, CARMS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Tartt's second novel was well worth the wait. Part Flannery O'Connor, part Harper Lee, THE LITTLE FRIEND is beautifully written. It's moody, tense, vivid, and incredibly satisfying. You must read this book.
bookboy
Jun 19, 2007
Don't expect another Secret History
If you were one of those who read Tartt's brilliant The Secret History and waited ten years for her second novel don't expect another rehash of the same.
Instead, Donna Tartt offers up a sultry story of Southern mores reminiscent of Harper Lee or Carson McCullers. Donna Tartt (whom I happened to meet at a reading for this novel) said that she is highly influenced by Flannery O'Connor and if you're familiar with O'Connor's work you will know that O'Connor writes very dark material and has a tendency of ending her stories in a distinctly trademark manner.
Tartt follows suit and the only beef I could find with the novel is trying to pinpoint exactly what decade this occurs. One scene describes a character as having the afro of a Black man, white bell-bottoms and a corduroy suit jacket giving the feeling that this takes place in the early to mid 70s. Another scene has a character making a brief reference to the yellow fever outbreak back in '79 making it possible for this novel to take place in the early 80s. I'm hard pressed to tell when The Little Friend occurs.
Plot isn't the driving force here, instead the characters are. If you prefer plot development over character development then this isn't the novel for you. Essentially, this is a novel about loss: the loss of childhood innocence, the loss of loved ones, the loss of friendships. Tartt's prose is so intense, I could feel Harriet's sense of hopelessness and despair as the world she knows changes and falls apart around her. Who doesn't remember as a child when you begin to understand the harsh realities of life? When you're faced with Death for the first time? When you begin to realize that you're no longer a child anymore and that the world can be an ugly place?
The story in a nutshell: Harriet's brother is murdered when she is a baby. 12 years later her family has fallen apart. Dad is never home, on the verge on leaving the family and Mom is a alcoholic stuck in time not fully recovered from the murder of her son. 12 year old Harriet decides if she can slove the murder she can restore her family. Soon after she opens up a Pandora's box of secrets and suspense.
Donna Tartt once again writes a thought provoking and compelling novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Her characters are very real and she tells a gripping, page turning, roller coaster ride of a tale with a nailbiting climax. Donna Tartt truly is an inspiration to me (which I had the pleasure of telling her). I highly anticipate her next novel.
