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C
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Review
Its questioning hypnotic textures pay dividends. -- Metro
...skilfully realised, ambitious
--The Guardian
C inserts itself, slyly yet confidently, into the history of modernism... genuinely exciting and spookily beautiful...a new kind of joy --The Times
'A supercharged, fizzingly written Bildungsroman...the remix the novel has been crying out for' --Sunday Times
'Beautiful...a thrilling tale... an electric piece of writing which should be read and enjoyed as much as dissected and discussed' --Daily Telegraph
'Spellbinding...[McCarthy's] ideas produce the electrifying, spooked ambience of a modernist symphony' -- Daily Telegraph
'Truly impressive' --The Guardian
'Chilling and brilliant' --Financial Times
'The delights of C arise from its imaginative energy and bursts of mesmerising lyrical prose.' --New Statesman
`C is formidably well assembled, and it is admirable for an unashamed literary ambition' --Independent on Sunday
'C is unquestionably brilliant...This is a genuinely exciting and spookily beautiful book, a new kind of joy' --The Times
'One of the most brilliant books to have hit the shelves this year' --Telegraph
`C is formidably well assembled, and it is admirable for an unashamed literary ambition' --Independent on Sunday
'C is unquestionably brilliant...This is a genuinely exciting and spookily beautiful book, a new kind of joy. -' --The Times
`Tom McCarthy's latest novel is an intelligent, ambitious book which richly deserves its place on this year's Man Booker longlist.' --Telegraph
`Chilling and brilliant'
--Financial Times
`A narrative of energy, invention and intelligence begins to take shape: one that is at once dazzling and profoundly resonant...' --Guardian Review
`The strength of the novel is in the richness of McCarthy's intelligent, detailed research...' --Daily Mail
'...Builds into a breathless tour de force...combining the impetus, mystery and gale-force pandemonium of the age' --Time Out
`...C is a very good book indeed... McCarthy is one of the most intelligent and talented novelists of our generation.' -- Scotland on Sunday
`C...is not the impenetrable thesis (some) readers might have feared...' -- The Lady
`Whatever happens...a chain of events has been set in motion. Nothing and no one is going to stop it going...' -- TLS
"McCarthy is a richly gifted novelist" --Independent
'Tom McCarthy's C... a novel blazing with energy and, for all its postmodern ambitions, a rich, old-fashioned yarn' -- Financial Times, article by Rosie Blau
...skilfully realised, ambitious
--The Guardian
C inserts itself, slyly yet confidently, into the history of modernism... genuinely exciting and spookily beautiful...a new kind of joy --The Times
'A supercharged, fizzingly written Bildungsroman...the remix the novel has been crying out for' --Sunday Times
'Beautiful...a thrilling tale... an electric piece of writing which should be read and enjoyed as much as dissected and discussed' --Daily Telegraph
'Spellbinding...[McCarthy's] ideas produce the electrifying, spooked ambience of a modernist symphony' -- Daily Telegraph
'Truly impressive' --The Guardian
'Chilling and brilliant' --Financial Times
'The delights of C arise from its imaginative energy and bursts of mesmerising lyrical prose.' --New Statesman
`C is formidably well assembled, and it is admirable for an unashamed literary ambition' --Independent on Sunday
'C is unquestionably brilliant...This is a genuinely exciting and spookily beautiful book, a new kind of joy' --The Times
'One of the most brilliant books to have hit the shelves this year' --Telegraph
`C is formidably well assembled, and it is admirable for an unashamed literary ambition' --Independent on Sunday
'C is unquestionably brilliant...This is a genuinely exciting and spookily beautiful book, a new kind of joy. -' --The Times
`Tom McCarthy's latest novel is an intelligent, ambitious book which richly deserves its place on this year's Man Booker longlist.' --Telegraph
`Chilling and brilliant'
--Financial Times
`A narrative of energy, invention and intelligence begins to take shape: one that is at once dazzling and profoundly resonant...' --Guardian Review
`The strength of the novel is in the richness of McCarthy's intelligent, detailed research...' --Daily Mail
'...Builds into a breathless tour de force...combining the impetus, mystery and gale-force pandemonium of the age' --Time Out
`...C is a very good book indeed... McCarthy is one of the most intelligent and talented novelists of our generation.' -- Scotland on Sunday
`C...is not the impenetrable thesis (some) readers might have feared...' -- The Lady
`Whatever happens...a chain of events has been set in motion. Nothing and no one is going to stop it going...' -- TLS
"McCarthy is a richly gifted novelist" --Independent
'Tom McCarthy's C... a novel blazing with energy and, for all its postmodern ambitions, a rich, old-fashioned yarn' -- Financial Times, article by Rosie Blau
Book Description
The author of 'one of the great English novels of the past ten years' moves to the next level, with a novel of thrilling action, imagination and ambition, perfect for fans of Bolaño and Pynchon.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It looks like Tom McCarthy could be going the same way as David Mitchell - the first two novels being very good and something different but then changing track and writing something which feels hollow and contrived, as though they were trying too hard to bring post-modernism to the masses.
'C' has been critically lauded and described with many -ism type words (modernism, post-modernism and post-structuralism) some of which seem to contradict each other but people who liked his first two novels do not seem to like this one. Supposedly it takes the form of an intellectual game with the reader trying to spot references and allusions to other works and philosophies but is let down by the style of writing. Other novels which veer more towards works of art rather than traditional narrative are usually written in an interesting style, but 'C' has a flat writing style, reminiscent of many recent 'literary' works, which does not suit the, supposed, intellectualism of the work.
I had previously read and enjoyed 'Men in Space' and will probably read 'Remainder' but was disappointed by 'C'. Although there were some flashes of excellence, most noticeably the first part of the book dealing with the main character's birth and early life (including allusions to early txt spk, his inventor father who is always one step behind other inventors, and the story of the sister) and a drug fuelled dogfight during World War I, these were not enough to maintain interest over the course of the whole story.
'C' is Tom McCarthy's first novel for a mainstream publisher and it feels as though they have told him they enjoyed his previous novels but wanted something more commercial - thus diluting what made his first two novels something to write about, hopefully his next novel will something worth reading.
'C' has been critically lauded and described with many -ism type words (modernism, post-modernism and post-structuralism) some of which seem to contradict each other but people who liked his first two novels do not seem to like this one. Supposedly it takes the form of an intellectual game with the reader trying to spot references and allusions to other works and philosophies but is let down by the style of writing. Other novels which veer more towards works of art rather than traditional narrative are usually written in an interesting style, but 'C' has a flat writing style, reminiscent of many recent 'literary' works, which does not suit the, supposed, intellectualism of the work.
I had previously read and enjoyed 'Men in Space' and will probably read 'Remainder' but was disappointed by 'C'. Although there were some flashes of excellence, most noticeably the first part of the book dealing with the main character's birth and early life (including allusions to early txt spk, his inventor father who is always one step behind other inventors, and the story of the sister) and a drug fuelled dogfight during World War I, these were not enough to maintain interest over the course of the whole story.
'C' is Tom McCarthy's first novel for a mainstream publisher and it feels as though they have told him they enjoyed his previous novels but wanted something more commercial - thus diluting what made his first two novels something to write about, hopefully his next novel will something worth reading.
95 of 109 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having not read any of Tom McCarthy's previous works, but having read a number of newspaper reviews of this book, I expected to never want to read it. Christopher Taylor in the Guardian chose to highlight that "McCarthy speaks the language of post-humanism. His allegiance is to the French nouveau roman and post-structuralist modes of thought..." etc , so I'd already decided it was likely to be a pile of pretentious waffle. However, at a loose end in a bookshop a few days ago I picked it up, read the first few pages, realised my preconceptions were probably wide of the mark, bought it, took it home and read it in one sitting.
The first thing to note is that C is a very enjoyable read. The comic element comes through on nearly every page, and McCarthy's permanent style of `show' rather than `tell' means that you have that slightly smug satisfaction when you 'get' the obscure jokes. A lot of the jokes are pretty dark, and reading some of the chapters felt a bit like listening to an episode of Chris Morris's underrated radio series 'Blue Jam'.
And it's not just the comic element that works this way - McCarthy manages to pack the book with literary and artistic references, and only very occasionally does it feel forced. These references fall into three categories; the ones that the reader will spot and understand the reference (in my case, very few), the ones that the reader will spot and have no idea why it is being eluded to (quite a few), and the ones that the reader misses altogether (probably lots more). One could easily re-read this book three or four times and still only get a fraction of the references. It's like reading a good book and doing a cryptic crossword at the same time. Fun, if you like that sort of thing.
I'm sure academic readers of literature will understand and enjoy this book on a much deeper level than me, but for someone more used to genre fiction and trashy paperbacks to read this in one sitting must be some kind of endorsement. Don't be put off by the overly intellectual discussions - McCarthy has managed to be clever, and let the reader feel clever, without sacrificing the quality of the storyline.
(NB - According to some websites this book isn't released until 5th August? My copy is a signed copy, which makes me think that the shop I bought it from had recently had a pre-release signing session).
The first thing to note is that C is a very enjoyable read. The comic element comes through on nearly every page, and McCarthy's permanent style of `show' rather than `tell' means that you have that slightly smug satisfaction when you 'get' the obscure jokes. A lot of the jokes are pretty dark, and reading some of the chapters felt a bit like listening to an episode of Chris Morris's underrated radio series 'Blue Jam'.
And it's not just the comic element that works this way - McCarthy manages to pack the book with literary and artistic references, and only very occasionally does it feel forced. These references fall into three categories; the ones that the reader will spot and understand the reference (in my case, very few), the ones that the reader will spot and have no idea why it is being eluded to (quite a few), and the ones that the reader misses altogether (probably lots more). One could easily re-read this book three or four times and still only get a fraction of the references. It's like reading a good book and doing a cryptic crossword at the same time. Fun, if you like that sort of thing.
I'm sure academic readers of literature will understand and enjoy this book on a much deeper level than me, but for someone more used to genre fiction and trashy paperbacks to read this in one sitting must be some kind of endorsement. Don't be put off by the overly intellectual discussions - McCarthy has managed to be clever, and let the reader feel clever, without sacrificing the quality of the storyline.
(NB - According to some websites this book isn't released until 5th August? My copy is a signed copy, which makes me think that the shop I bought it from had recently had a pre-release signing session).
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have a very wide range of taste in literature - and this was a very different book. I have finished reading it and I have been left with the same feeling I get after looking at a Jackson Pollock painting(seriously)- there are patterns and colours and multiple structural layers within it - and it is impossible to take it all in - and therefore you concentrate on the overall impact - which is emotional as well as intellectual.
(Question - is it a spoiler to tell something if it is printed on the cover?)
As other reviewers point out, the book concerns the short and very intense life of Serge Carefax born at the end of the 19th centuary. It starts with his birth at a country house to a deaf mother (with an interest in mood altering drugs) and an eccentric inventor father who runs a school for the deaf. The family contains a rather brilliant but slightly disturbed elder sister Sophie who adds a very significant dimension to his childhood. The book looks at Serge at different times in his bizarre childhood, through a surreal health farm (reminiscent of Wellville), the horror of being a radio operator during the first world war (although he enjoyed it), a drug-fueled college period and an expedition to Egypt.
The book is very definitely dark and full of black humour. The writing is superb, but it is impossible to appreciate everything in one read - I think the book will be better at a second reading. So what strikes after a first reading is the patterns that are wound throughout it and the way they repeat and are pulled together in a fantastic workspace. The idea of a crowded space, full of the trace of transmissions from the very first one, a sense of connection, codes, patterns and repetition builds constantly through the book.
If you want a well formed story, or need to 'like' the characters in a novel, don't waste your time. But if you want to read a contemporary book that is challenging and leaves an overall and lasting impression, then this is to be recommended.
(Question - is it a spoiler to tell something if it is printed on the cover?)
As other reviewers point out, the book concerns the short and very intense life of Serge Carefax born at the end of the 19th centuary. It starts with his birth at a country house to a deaf mother (with an interest in mood altering drugs) and an eccentric inventor father who runs a school for the deaf. The family contains a rather brilliant but slightly disturbed elder sister Sophie who adds a very significant dimension to his childhood. The book looks at Serge at different times in his bizarre childhood, through a surreal health farm (reminiscent of Wellville), the horror of being a radio operator during the first world war (although he enjoyed it), a drug-fueled college period and an expedition to Egypt.
The book is very definitely dark and full of black humour. The writing is superb, but it is impossible to appreciate everything in one read - I think the book will be better at a second reading. So what strikes after a first reading is the patterns that are wound throughout it and the way they repeat and are pulled together in a fantastic workspace. The idea of a crowded space, full of the trace of transmissions from the very first one, a sense of connection, codes, patterns and repetition builds constantly through the book.
If you want a well formed story, or need to 'like' the characters in a novel, don't waste your time. But if you want to read a contemporary book that is challenging and leaves an overall and lasting impression, then this is to be recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
C, indeed
I'm a visual person unfortunately, therefore I am immediately attracted to pretty covers (I know, I know: don't judge a book by its cover. I know). Read more
Published 8 days ago by Poison-the-cure
All Fur Coat And Nae Knickers
Just finished this but I have to admit I skipped through much of the last section because it was so contrived. Read more
Published 19 days ago by White Tea
C is for Codswallop
I have found that many contemporary novels have an amazing ability for flight. Don Delillo's works in particular are often capable of truly exceptional aeronautic displays. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Thropplenoggin
Trying too hard
Unfamiliar with McCarthy's other works, there was an over-riding sensation from start to finish that this writer was trying too hard. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. S. R. Wall
a prize winner that left me cold
Pointless exercise in cleverness that seemed a terrible waste of valuable reading time. Glad it was a present rather than something I spent money on
Published 5 months ago by A. L. Mills
Much ado about nothing....
2.5 stars.
Zeitgeist author Tom McCarthy's `C' is the tale of one Serge Carrefax. Born at the end of the 19th century to a communications pioneer, particularly in the... Read more
Zeitgeist author Tom McCarthy's `C' is the tale of one Serge Carrefax. Born at the end of the 19th century to a communications pioneer, particularly in the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by BlestMiss T
C is for...
This novel follows the brief life of one Serge Carrefax through the early years of the century. His dad is an inventor and runs a school for deaf children, his mum has a silk... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Bob Ventos
Definitely Not something to read on a beach!
As stated in the title of my comments, I really regret the decision to bring the book on the holiday. Pretty pretentious and boring. Read more
Published 9 months ago by J. Lan
'C' me after class
Tom McCarthy's debut novel 'Remainder' remains one of my favourite novels of the last ten years or so and was critically lauded. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Bela Lugosi's Dad
C is for confusing!
This is the first of Tom McCarthy's books that I have read and it might well be the last.
The synopsis intrigued me a great deal, Egypt in the 1920's preceded by the... Read more
The synopsis intrigued me a great deal, Egypt in the 1920's preceded by the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. M. Richardson
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