Shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread First Novel Award. An absorbing mystery story, a How-to book, a tour of the encyclopaedia, an etiquette guide and a history of philosophy – one of the most original and entertaining novels to have come out of America in many years.
The Monroes’ house has been abandoned for as long as Haddie can remember. Before she was born, her sister’s dead body was found on the flagstone path and no one is sure how she fell. Like the House of Atreus, this tragic event will have repercussions which effect all the characters in this strange story and, as Haddie attempts to figure out the clues to the mystery of her sister’s death, The Great Ideas takes the form of an epistemological search. Haddie trawls the encyclopaedia looking for clues, reads Plato, Aristotle, Boethius. Woven into her quest is an abundance of serendipitous details that come at the reader one after the other: about fortune telling, floating paper boats, what it feels like to forget; how to yawn with your mouth closed, flirt, levitate and charm a snake.
Slowly, as it arcs towards its tragic climax, its mixture of curiosity and knowledge will delight anyone with an enquiring mind. A truly original and ground-breaking novel.
The Monroes' house has been abandoned for as long as Haddie can remember. Before she was born, her sister's dead body was found on the flagstone path beneath the balcony at the back, and no one is sure how she fell. As in the House of Atreus that Haddie reads about in the encyclopaedia, this tragic event will have repercussions which affect all the characters in this strange story: the enigmatic bachelor who comes to live in the Monroes' house and has a mysterious past; Mrs Lewis, Haddie's Charm School teacher, who is increasingly attracted to this intriguing stranger; her son Louis Lewis, a practising existentialist, who believes there's no such thing as a lie; and of course Haddie herself, searching for a meaning to her life in the shadow of the death of her sister.
Haddie's attempts to figure out the clues to this mystery take the form of an epistemological search. She trawls the encyclopedia, thinks about tragic fate, reads Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas. She worries about Christian doctrines of original sin. And woven into her quest is an abundance of serendipitous details: about fortune-telling, floating paper boats and what it feels like to forget; how to yawn with your mouth closed, flirt, levitate and charm a snake.
The Great Ideas is a gripping mystery like no other, a story which can also be dipped into through its index. It is an etiquette guide, a 'how-to' book, a survey of classical philosophy, a tour of the A- section of the encyclopaedia, a comedy of manners. As it arcs towards its tragic climax and the dark secret of Haddie's family is revealed, its mixture of curiosity and knowledge will delight anyone with an enquiring mind.
"Sobre este título" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.
Gastos de envío:
EUR 5,74
De Reino Unido a Estados Unidos de America
Gastos de envío:
EUR 6,24
A Estados Unidos de America
Librería: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, Reino Unido
Hardback. Condición: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Nº de ref. del artículo: GOR004667986
Cantidad disponible: 3 disponibles
Librería: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, Estados Unidos de America
hardcover. Condición: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Nº de ref. del artículo: S_310278254
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, Reino Unido
Condición: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Nº de ref. del artículo: 7719-9781857029086
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, Estados Unidos de America
Hardcover. Condición: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.13. Nº de ref. del artículo: G1857029089I5N00
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, Reino Unido
Hardcover. Condición: Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Nº de ref. del artículo: mon0006764693
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: Bahamut Media, Reading, Reino Unido
Condición: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Nº de ref. del artículo: 6545-9781857029086
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: Russell Books, Victoria, BC, Canada
Condición: Very Good. Estado de la sobrecubierta: Very Good. Nº de ref. del artículo: FORT691033
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: HALCYON BOOKS, LONDON, Reino Unido
Hardcover. Condición: Very Good. ALL ITEMS ARE DISPATCHED FROM THE UK WITHIN 48 HOURS ( BOOKS ORDERED OVER THE WEEKEND DISPATCHED ON MONDAY) ALL OVERSEAS ORDERS SENT BY TRACKABLE AIR MAIL. IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UK PLEASE ASK US FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE FOR MULTI VOLUME SETS BEFORE ORDERING. Nº de ref. del artículo: mon0000813469
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: Book Express (NZ), Wellington, Nueva Zelanda
Paperback. Condición: Good. 330 pages. Stickers on cover. Nº de ref. del artículo: 55f
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles
Librería: Murderers' Row, Maple Grove, MN, Estados Unidos de America
Hardcover. Condición: Fine. Estado de la sobrecubierta: Fine. 1st Edition. Unread 1st impression. Nº de ref. del artículo: b01236
Cantidad disponible: 1 disponibles