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`Readers on the lookout for a big, bold, ambitious and bawdy saga sustained by bravura ambition, ideas, facts and authorial cunning that is not written by James Joyce, need seek no further, the maverick genius Anthony Burgess has a field day in his epic race through the 20th century... Early Powers is a lively and likeable extravaganza about sin and spirituality, corruption and fear, told with vicious wit, intelligence and panache by a singular original we have never fully appreciated' --Irish Times
Book Description
Rollicking, panoramic epic of 20th century by the author of 'A Clockwork Orange'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An offbeat masterwork,
By Jonners "jrmonk" (Coxhoe) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Earthly Powers (Vintage Classics) (Paperback)
A lot of mythologising surrounds this novel; when it was first published, the critics snarled and disdained it, and in large part didn't understand it, which is forgiveable, because it is a huge, complex monster of a book. The plot (which is far from being the central point of the book) follows the richly colourful and sympathetic inner life of an ancient, eccentric author against the backdrop of twentieth-century history: this is merely a stage against which to set his relationship with an Italian priest of great character and complexity, destined to become Pope. This relationship is in itself a mere frame for an analysis of the nature of good and evil, and faith and free will, in an astonishingly subtle and labyrinthine way. The whole thrust of the book is to propose an idea, only revealed near the end, which is so philosophically shocking that the reader has to have some way of rejecting it, should they so wish. Suddenly the rest of the book is thrown into crystal relief - the vast complexity of the narrative is a web of deliberate errors of fact, logic and conclusion to allow this escape: the nature of human memory and thought itself is thrown into question. Beyond that, I leave you to argue it out amongst yourselves. This is a truly great book by one of Britain's most important C20 writers.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic Masterpiece,
This review is from: Earthly Powers (Penguin Modern Classics) (Paperback)
I can't believe this isn't full of reviews, this book is one of the best books I've ever read. Anthony Burgess is one of the most inventive, original authors, making you believe everything because he entwines fiction with reality. This is a huge book, a review of the 20th century, deep, and extremly inteligent. By the end of the book Toomey (the main character) is a part of your life, I was so sad to let him go...
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wide-ranging and wonderful journey,
By A Customer
This review is from: Earthly Powers (Vintage Classics) (Paperback)
This book is a wonderful journey through the life and adventures of Kenneth Toomey, the world-wearing and endearing protagonist. I was gripped the whole way through, although I enjoyed the highly comic scenes in the first half of the novel best. As the story progresses, the tale becomes darker, but it's still a masterpiece. The ending is very strong indeed (and that after one of the best first lines to a novel I've ever read!), with the glorious last quarter twist taking your breath away.Worth a thousand "The Line of Beauty" books in how to write an epic saga. I can definitely recommend it!
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