Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Quiet Girl


ISBN: 0374263698
Format: Hardcover, 424pp
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (October 30, 2007)
Price: $26.00

I saw this one while looking around today. It sounds like it might be pretty good. It is the same author that wrote Smilla’s Sense of Snow which I've heard all sorts of good things about but never read. Anyone read that one?

From the Publisher:

Set in Denmark in the here and now, The Quiet Girl centers around Kaspar Krone, a world-renowned circus clown with a deep love for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and an even deeper gambling debt.

Wanted for tax evasion and on the verge of extradition, Krone is drafted into the service of a mysterious order of nuns who promise him reprieve from the international authorities in return for his help safeguarding a group of children with mystical abilities—abilities that Krone shares.

When one of the children goes missing, Krone sets off to find the young girl and bring her back, making a shocking series of discoveries along the way about her identity and the true intentions of his young wards.

The result is a fast-paced, philosophical thriller blending social realism with the literary fantastic and pitting art and spirituality against corporate interests and nothing less than the will to war by the industrialized world. The Quiet Girl is a masterful, inventive novel that marks the triumphal return of one of the great writers of the international literary world.

9 comments:

T.C. Robson said...

Very weird plot line, but I'm greatly interested! Adding this to my list.

Meg said...

I know, I'm always amazed by how do-able Mel makes the writing world seem. Every other writing class I've taken has convinced me more and more that's it's all but impossible; Mel's the absolute opposite.

I mean, I was considering giving up writing before Mel's class. Now, there's no way I'll stop doing what I'm doing.

Yoga Gal said...

I haven't heard of the author before but looks interesting. Thanks.

Katie said...

It is a little bit different. But it caught my eye. If you read it let me know. I would like to but I might not get around to it.

Katie said...

Meg, yeah I totally agree. He is so good about supporting you if you've got the talent and the desire to do more. I'm glad that you decided not to give up. It's really an addiction once you get started, really started writing all the time.

T.C. Robson said...

I finally finished Seeing Redd by the way. That was a very unexpected ending, but I loved it. Definitely a win-win/lose-lose situation.

dingobear said...

I might be going to Denmark this weekend. But don't worry - I'll steer clear of clowns, nuns, and freaky kids.

Doughnut said...

The title is similar to: "The Quiet Man" which I believe was a novel, then movie featuring John Wayne in Ireland. This book's setting is in Denmark. Those darn Danes...lol. I can say that since I am 1/2 Danish!

Katie said...

Leroy, I love that movie! One of my all time favorites. 'Here's a stick to beat the lovely lady with.' Gosh... they just don't make movies like that anymore. so good! I didn't know it was a book though. I have to find it! I have to read it! :)