City of Light by Lauren Belfer
Louisa Barrett, the headmistress of a prestigious girls school in Buffalo in 1901 is a forward-looking, independent young woman. But the secret of her illegitimate daughter - which connects her to the highest echelons of US government - continually underlines the fragility of her position within the city s patriarchal society, and overshadows her budding relationship with two suitors. Both are involved in the clash between capitalists and conservationists over the use of the Niagara Falls to generate electricity, which turns ugly when two key figures in the hydroelectric business drown in separate incidents. Inexorably, Louisa is drawn into the deadly brew, which comes to a head in a startling and dramatic climax. With fascinating period detail and an unerring, richly complex recreation of an entire society, City of Light is a scintillating debut.
An ingenious first novel.. it teems with arcane information and is alive with historical figures who mingle seamlessly with the fictional characters.' - New York Times Book ReviewA superbly crafted debut novel, a page-turning thriller - Telegraph MagazineBreathtaking in its achievement .. a remarkable blend of murder mystery, love story, political intrigue and tragedy of manners - USA Today'A compelling debut ... complete with dangerous liaisons, gorgeous descriptions of the Falls and a central character whose voice is irresistible to the last page of her tragic story - Publishers Weeklytotally riveting ... a literary thriller whose refined period details remind you of Henry James - Publishing NewsAmbitious, vividly detailed and stirring ... A remarkably assured and satisfying first novel.' - KirkusAn excellent literary and historical thriller, well researched and narrated by a voice of heartbreaking gravity - The Times
Lauren Belfer grew up in Buffalo, where she was educated at the school that forms the model for her heroine s establishment. She has an MFA from Columbia University, and now lives in New York with her husband and son..
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780340748428 |
| ISBN 10 | 0340748427 |
| Title | City of Light |
| Author | Lauren Belfer |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton |
| Year published | 2000-01-20 |
| Number of pages | 448 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |