The Good Republic is an unnamed Baltic state. Its geography is important, sandwiched, for a hellish part of the twentieth-century, between two totalitarian behemoths, Nazi Germany and Communist Russia. The central character of the novel is Jacob Balthus, a sort of Everyman, neither hero nor villain, but, in the end, a tragic victim of the two tyrannies that, at different times, overran his country.
This was William Palmer's first novel published in 1990. It was timely then, and because of its subtle and profound handling of perennial moral issues, is no less timely now. For those of us living in less turbulent times and in countries unused to invasion, it forces the uncomfortable question, 'What would I have done?'.
The novel rightly attracted thoughtful, enthusiastic, and slightly conflicting reviews on publication.
'Palmer is a master of his complex material. The Baltic country itself - the capital with its Old Town and Jewish Shops, the coast with its pine-fringes and little islands - is palpably there, and makes the moral drama of Jacob and his associates the more compelling. ' Paul Binding, Independent
'The Good Republic is a powerful work ... It is not, however, an uplifting tale. One is left with the conviction that the good republic can be defined as that which leaves its citizens to tend to their own vanities, trivialities and banalities. As Mr Palmer notes in the narrative: ''The Chinese say it is a curse: 'May you live in interesting times.' '' Jonas Bernstein, Washington Times
'The achievement of the novel lies in the forgiveness it insists upon. Jacob does immense harm. But he is gentle and vulnerable. His anguished prevarications make him infinitely more likeable than the stronger and more principled characters who use and betray him. Jacob, too, is one of the victims of history.' Dinah Birch, The Times
William Palmer was born in 1945 and attended schools in England and Wales. After a bewildering variety of jobs he became a full-time writer in 1988. His published books include the novels The Good Republic, Leporello, The Contract, The Pardon of Saint Anne, and The India House; a collection of short stories, Four Last Things, and two collections of poems, The Island Rescue and An Instruction from Madame S. He has just completed Under the Influence, a study of alcohol and its effect on writers' lives and work. His work has appeared in many journals and been broadcast. He reviews regularly for The Independent and Literary Review.
"Sobre este título" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.
Gastos de envío:
EUR 29,99
De Reino Unido a Estados Unidos de America
Gastos de envío:
EUR 12,00
De Reino Unido a Estados Unidos de America
Librería: Revaluation Books, Exeter, Reino Unido
Paperback. Condición: Brand New. 304 pages. 8.50x5.28x1.10 inches. In Stock. Nº de ref. del artículo: __0571252559
Cantidad disponible: 2 disponibles
Librería: As The Story Was Told, York, Reino Unido
Soft cover. Condición: Fine. 1st Edition. First edition thus, fine in wraps. Nº de ref. del artículo: H10-26
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: BuchWeltWeit Ludwig Meier e.K., Bergisch Gladbach, Alemania
Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Jacob Balthus is a sort of Everyman, neither hero nor villain, but a tragic victim of the two tyrannies that, at different times, overran his country. 304 pp. Englisch. Nº de ref. del artículo: 9780571252558
Cantidad disponible: 2 disponibles
Librería: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, Alemania
Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - Jacob Balthus is a sort of Everyman, neither hero nor villain, but a tragic victim of the two tyrannies that, at different times, overran his country. Nº de ref. del artículo: 9780571252558
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: moluna, Greven, Alemania
Condición: New. Dieser Artikel ist ein Print on Demand Artikel und wird nach Ihrer Bestellung fuer Sie gedruckt. The Baltic country itself - the capital with its Old Town and Jewish Shops, the coast with its pine-fringes and little islands - is palpably there, and makes the moral drama of Jacob and his associates the more compelling.Klappentext. Nº de ref. del artículo: 5939049
Cantidad disponible: Más de 20 disponibles