The Anonymous Novel by Alessandro Barbero
The elusive and unstable realities of Gorbachev's Russia prove to be fertile ground for Alessandro Barbero's great skills as a storyteller, and this masterpiece, The Anonymous Novel, is full of many varied characters and the discussion of endless themes concerning not only the Soviet Union and it final days but also, dare one say it, the human condition in any age and any country. It is very much the complete novel, doing everything a novel can and should do, and doing it in a masterly fashion. One surprising element of the book, which is also an opportunity for the author to express very subtly his admiration for Russian literature and culture, is the authenticity of the narration. The Western reader may feel that this is a sleight of hand, but Russian readers of the Italian original and the English translation can confirm its accuracy, which is based on careful historical research into journalistic and literary records, as well as some other sources. This book is a compelling read, but it is also a wonderful mix of the profound and the witty.
"In the depiction of these changing times, Barbero's political intelligence is apparentSo, however, is his skill as a novelist, for he contrives to integrate the socio-political analysis into his story of imagined characters. It never obtrudes itself; yet you can't ignore or forget it... If you have any feeling for Russia or for the art of the novel, read this one. You will find it an enriching experience." - The Scotsman "He writes in a bright and breezy, satirical styles ... which leads the reader to believe that some Russian master had been leaning over his shoulder, guiding his hand." - The Herald
Born in Turin in 1959, Alessandro Barbero is the author of four novels, and his Bella vita e guerre altrui di Mr. Pyle, gentiluomo (Milan: Mondadori, 1995) won the Premio Strega (roughly the Italian equivalent of the Booker) in 1996. The Anonymous Novel is the first of his fictional works to be translated into English, although they have long been translated into other languages. He also teaches medieval history and military history at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Vercelli. He has published many historical works, which are distinguished by his clear prose and faultless organisation of the principal arguments. Of note are Charlemagne. Father of a Continent (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004) and The Day of the Barbarians (London: Atlantic Books, 2007).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780956056047 |
| ISBN 10 | 0956056040 |
| Title | The Anonymous Novel |
| Author | Alessandro Barbero |
| Series | Changeling |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Vagabond Voices |
| Year published | 2010-03-01 |
| Number of pages | 460 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |