- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (3 Feb 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140176373
- ISBN-13: 978-0140176377
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 10.8 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,459,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'A drama of thwarted passions, the conflict between masculine reason and female intuition, Enlightenment rationality and native superstition ... Thoroughly enjoyable' Guardian 'A haunting atmosphere, skilfully described ... Surreal and evanescent' New York Times Book Review 'Thomson has an astonishing eye for detail, coupled with a flair for plots that are both neat and profound' Times Literary Supplement 'Extraordinary ... Human passions in all their grandeur and frailty are explored under a hot Mexican sky ... Thomson writes with an intensity that mirrors the emotions - all strongly felt - of his unusual cast of characters' Daily Mail
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Review
'A drama of thwarted passions, the conflict between masculine reason and female intuition, Enlightenment rationality and native superstition ... Thoroughly enjoyable' Guardian 'A haunting atmosphere, skilfully described ... Surreal and evanescent' New York Times Book Review 'Thomson has an astonishing eye for detail, coupled with a flair for plots that are both neat and profound' Times Literary Supplement 'Extraordinary ... Human passions in all their grandeur and frailty are explored under a hot Mexican sky ... Thomson writes with an intensity that mirrors the emotions - all strongly felt - of his unusual cast of characters' Daily Mail
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's a shame that this book has been so long overshadowed by the other, slightly showier, elements of Thomson's oeuvre. It was his third novel, and his first great one, after the entertaining but baggy "Dreams of Leaving" and the forced strangeness of "Five Gates of Hell."
For those readers, like me, who find most of his work a touch glib (if beautifully written and original), "Air & Fire" will cheer your soul. One part "Oscar & Lucinda" to three parts Graham Greene, it's the central love story and the character of Wilson that resonates. The writing is parched and suffocating, appropriate to the Mexican setting, and it's worth noting here that Thomson has probably the deepest bran tub of remarkable similes in modern literature.
It has a coherence and force lacking in, say, "Soft" and "The Book of Revelation," both of which make you feel that too many ideas were thrown into the mix without being fully realised. There is a difference between understatement and frustrating the reader, and "Air & Fire" comes down beautifully on the right side.
And, for once in common with Thomson's other novels, it realises too that happy endings are best left to Hollywood.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this novel in the 'to clear' section of my local bookshop, liked the cover and had a quick flick through. I didn't read the synopsis, just one of the reviews, and was about to put it back, when i saw that it was dedicated to 'all kates'. That being my name, i thought 'what the hell, i'll give it a go'. When i embarked on reading i was disappointed to discover that it was a period piece, set in a small town in Mexico at the turn of the century. However, within a few pages i was hooked, not so much by the story, but by the beautiful, evocative language. Rupert Thomson is able to capture the feel and smell of existance in the town, and conveys a deep love for his characters in his quiet description of their unfolding, and unravelling lives. The time-period is less alienating than i expected, and the story engaging, if slightly confusing near it's conclusion. Having finished it, it feels like a private journey that is well worth exploring.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been enjoying Rupert Thomson's work since my friend gave me a copy of Dreams of Leaving more than 20 years ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed all I have read by him and would give all 5 stars for the original thought that he is able to produce (a skill very few authors can lay claim to).
The other reviews that give 5 stars are welcome to their opinion, the language and SLOW unfolding of the story are perfectly fine. I have chosen to give 3 stars as this book simply doesn't matter. I read it over an age as the prose conjured up scenes where not much matters with such success that I frequently fell asleep with the book on my chest. I must stress that the skill of this autor to grab me and to thoroughly entertain me and have me enthralled has been demonstrated in Dreams of Leaving, 5 Gates of Hell, the Insult, Soft and Divided Kingdom. That is an astounding amount of genuine original and enrapturing material. This book is well written but...
To cut a long story short, I spoke to my friend (that originally gave me a copy of 'Dreams..' way back, he said, "Oh yeah, that;s the one with the sub-plot about the guy that's trying to make perfect French bread isn't it?"
Read this author but don't choose this as your starting point.
The other reviews that give 5 stars are welcome to their opinion, the language and SLOW unfolding of the story are perfectly fine. I have chosen to give 3 stars as this book simply doesn't matter. I read it over an age as the prose conjured up scenes where not much matters with such success that I frequently fell asleep with the book on my chest. I must stress that the skill of this autor to grab me and to thoroughly entertain me and have me enthralled has been demonstrated in Dreams of Leaving, 5 Gates of Hell, the Insult, Soft and Divided Kingdom. That is an astounding amount of genuine original and enrapturing material. This book is well written but...
To cut a long story short, I spoke to my friend (that originally gave me a copy of 'Dreams..' way back, he said, "Oh yeah, that;s the one with the sub-plot about the guy that's trying to make perfect French bread isn't it?"
Read this author but don't choose this as your starting point.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A truly gifted writer
I have just begun reading Thomsons books, and have been completely converted. What a superb writer, and real variety of content/style as well. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by Keith D. Langley
Aha - Thomson with discipline!
Having read all Thomson's novels bar the latest (Divided Kingdom), I can now say that this is by far his best. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2005 by Mark Griffiths
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