 |
Death of an Ordinary Man: A Novel by Glen Duncan
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Glen Duncan Edition: Paperback Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2004-11-30 ISBN: 0802170048 Number of pages: 320 Publisher: Grove Press, Black Cat
Book Reviews of Death of an Ordinary Man: A NovelBook Review: Haunting, both literally and figuratively Summary: 5 Stars
The theme of this novel is revealed in a quote near the ending of the book: "Sartre said all writing's an act of infidelity. So's surviving the dead" (p. 286). In this beautiful, spare novel, Duncan explores the many betrayals that make up a family, ranging from an all-too-common marital infidelity to the infinitely more tragic betrayal of not being able to protect one's child from brutality. We meet Nathan, the central character, in his first few moments of his awareness of being dead. At first there is nothingness: "It was neither dark nor light but if he lifted his hand in front of his face he wouldn't be able to see it." As the novel progresses, Nathan regains memories as well as being allowed to witness his family member's actions and thoughts. As details emerge, the reader begins to realize there is much more here than an ordinary life and death.
This is not a book to read for a laugh, as there are few laughs, if any, in it. It is instead a book for any parent who has dared to confront the unthinkable: How would I react if it happened to my family? Could I cope? How could someone possibly cope? Nathan's story provides the uncomfortable confirmation of your suspicion that, sometimes, things happen that just can't be coped with. This message will linger with you long after you've put it down. Duncan does a wonderful job of portraying characters as humans, fully dimensional, possessing hidden strengths yet simultaneously capable of thoughtless and mean behaviors. Duncan's talent becomes apparent when you finish the book, despite full awareness of the wrongs committed by the people within it, feeling great sympathy and tenderness for all members of Nathan's family, including Nathan himself.
Summary of Death of an Ordinary Man: A NovelWith Death of an Ordinary Man, Glen Duncan continues his penetrating and innovative exploration of the supernatural with a novel that is far and away his most powerful and accomplished yet. Nathan Clark's gravestone offers a short and hopeful summary: At rest. But Nathan is not at rest, and knows he won't be until he finds out why he died. Privy now to the innermost thoughts and feelings of his family and friends-confessions that are raw, brutal, and unexpected-Nathan spends the day of his wake getting to know the living as he has never known them before: His father struggles with a legacy of family tragedy; his wife with the baggage of a doomed affair; his older daughter with her burgeoning sexuality and adolescent confusion. But why isn't Nathan's young daughter Lois at the wake? Who are the two strangers at the funeral, and why does their presence fill him with dread? Part detective story, part family portrait, Death of an Ordinary Man is an unflinching look at the margins of human experience, where the boundaries of fundamental feelings?love, grief, desire, shame, and hope?meet and mingle, and no motivation is as simple as it seems.
|
 |
Island (Perennial Classics)by Aldous Huxley Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Published: 2002-07-30; Paperback; BookBest price: $8.00Price in other shops: $14.99
Angelsby Marian Keyes William Morrow; Published: 2002-05-28; Hardcover; BookBest price: $3.14Price in other shops: $24.95
A Tree Grows in Brooklynby Betty Smith Harper; Published: 2001-11-13; Hardcover; BookBest price: $14.78Price in other shops: $23.99
The Devil and Miss Prym: A Novel of Temptationby Paulo Coelho Harper; Published: 2006-07-03; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.50Price in other shops: $24.95
Boonville: A Novelby Robert Mailer Anderson Harper Perennial; Published: 2003-01; Paperback; BookBest price: $0.01Price in other shops: $12.99
Carameloby Sandra Cisneros HarperAudio; Published: 2002-10-01; Audio Cassette; BookBest price: $6.99Price in other shops: $39.95
Headhunterby Timothy Findley PERENNIAL PUBLICATIONS; Paperback; Book
The Crimson Petal And The Whiteby Michel Faber Harcourt, Inc./Harvest; Published: 2003; Paperback; BookBest price: $2.50
Great Expectationsby Charles Dickens Macmillan Pub Co; Published: 1979-06; Paperback; BookPrice in other shops: $12.10
This Side of Paradiseby Fitzgerald Scribner Paper Fiction; Published: 1988-09-30; Paperback; BookBest price: $1.95Price in other shops: $6.95
|
The Bloodstone Papersby Glen Duncan Ecco; Published: 2007-07-31; Hardcover; BookBest price: $2.45Price in other shops: $25.95
The Night Eternalby Guillermo Del Toro, Chuck Hogan William Morrow; Published: 2011-10-25; Hardcover; BookBest price: $13.49Price in other shops: $26.99
Weathercockby Glen Duncan Scribner; Published: 2003-06-02; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.19
A Day and a Night and a Day: A Novel (P.S.)by Glen Duncan Ecco; Published: 2010-01-01; Paperback; BookBest price: $3.46Price in other shops: $13.99
Hopeby Glen Duncan Riverhead Trade; Published: 1999-08-01; Paperback; BookBest price: $63.82
The Bloodstone Papers: A Novelby Glen Duncan Harper Perennial; Published: 2008-08-01; Paperback; BookBest price: $2.55Price in other shops: $14.95
A Day and a Night and a Day: A Novelby Glen Duncan Ecco; Published: 2009-01-01; Hardcover; BookBest price: $2.24Price in other shops: $24.99
Weathercockby Glen Duncan Scribner; Published: 2004-01-05; Paperback; BookBest price: $7.40
The Last Werewolfby Glen Duncan Knopf; Published: 2011-07-12; Hardcover; BookBest price: $9.98Price in other shops: $25.95
I, Lucifer: Finally, the Other Side of the Storyby Glen Duncan Grove Press; Published: 2003-04-02; Paperback; BookBest price: $6.99Price in other shops: $15.00
|