- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Headline Review (29 May 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755302540
- ISBN-13: 978-0755302543
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 13 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 463,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
'Garner's imagination is compelling and the novel has real narrative drive... enjoyable and eloquent' Helen Dunmore, The Times
(The Times )'Darkly atmospheric, Garner's clean, spare prose conjures a strong ,simple narrative... a delight to curl up with' Metro
(Metro )'A sad, sweet tale of the love and misunderstanding between a father and son who dare to aim for a higher place in the world'
(Daily Mail )'THE INGENIOUS EDGAR JONES offers a confabulation of effects: in an atmospheric 19th century Oxford that would play host to Darwin's arguments and Lewis Carroll's dreamy nonsense, the child savant, Edgar JOnes, builds, burns, and soars. Elizabeth Garner's American debut is ingenuity itself, a winner. I love it'
Helen Dunmore, The Times
'Garner's imagination is compelling and the novel has real narrative drive... enjoyable and eloquent'
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I just finished 'Edgar Jones' and I loved it, it was a fantastic read. Edgar Jones was one of the most memorable characters ever. The father/son relationship between William and Edgar to me was the core of the book alongside the whole university world.
At times I felt so bad for Edgar, betrayed by people he looked up to but you could not help but love Edgar. I would love to see a sequel at some point.
It is an unusual book and it will stay with you. If you are looking for something different, read 'Edgar Jones'
At times I felt so bad for Edgar, betrayed by people he looked up to but you could not help but love Edgar. I would love to see a sequel at some point.
It is an unusual book and it will stay with you. If you are looking for something different, read 'Edgar Jones'
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the story of Edgar who born into a family who want him to do well sets on out on a different path, right from the moment he is born.
The author has set the book in the mid 19th Century (although you do not find out a date until very near the end) and it is based in Oxford and the university. The author has very clear knowledge not only of all the roads and streets but also all the structures and decorations of the buildings, as well as what they were sculpted out of.
The main theme is the father/son relationship. Sadly Edgar's mother is just a supplementary character in the book and in their lives. Although she supports both son and husband to the bitter end, but realises that she has a life of her own to forge.
Edgar wants to do one thing in his life; his father William wants him to achieve something else. Clash after clash happens, after outside influences change Edgar's view on what he wants to achieve. Edgar wants to get out in the world and achieve it. But Edgar is a boy in a man's world and therefore has to take the consequences.
The book took a long time to get anywhere but once it did it built and built upon the known and the unknown. As if readers we were building structures alongside Edgar's. However the ending was disappointing to me. It was as is science and discovery then became fantasy. The never sit easy together for me.
If you are looking for an intellectual book about natural science, mechanics, iron and bone, even faith, an eclectic mix but all covered here. Add in the wonderful setting of Oxford with a child who has an ingenious skill then go and buy it. I could have mentioned a lot about this book, but to do have done so would have given away the plot too much.
I have not taken much from this book, although I have learnt about iron and bone, structures and destruction. It has left me with the importance of not pushing someone down a path they do not want to follow. Everyone should be allowed their own ingenuity in this world.
The author has set the book in the mid 19th Century (although you do not find out a date until very near the end) and it is based in Oxford and the university. The author has very clear knowledge not only of all the roads and streets but also all the structures and decorations of the buildings, as well as what they were sculpted out of.
The main theme is the father/son relationship. Sadly Edgar's mother is just a supplementary character in the book and in their lives. Although she supports both son and husband to the bitter end, but realises that she has a life of her own to forge.
Edgar wants to do one thing in his life; his father William wants him to achieve something else. Clash after clash happens, after outside influences change Edgar's view on what he wants to achieve. Edgar wants to get out in the world and achieve it. But Edgar is a boy in a man's world and therefore has to take the consequences.
The book took a long time to get anywhere but once it did it built and built upon the known and the unknown. As if readers we were building structures alongside Edgar's. However the ending was disappointing to me. It was as is science and discovery then became fantasy. The never sit easy together for me.
If you are looking for an intellectual book about natural science, mechanics, iron and bone, even faith, an eclectic mix but all covered here. Add in the wonderful setting of Oxford with a child who has an ingenious skill then go and buy it. I could have mentioned a lot about this book, but to do have done so would have given away the plot too much.
I have not taken much from this book, although I have learnt about iron and bone, structures and destruction. It has left me with the importance of not pushing someone down a path they do not want to follow. Everyone should be allowed their own ingenuity in this world.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's actually quite hard to capture this book within a `blurb', as it has a style all of it's own. It's set in a world where The University is everything.. a world of learning that is in control of Oxford, and is looked up to by all. In awe of all the University stands for is Edgar's father, and to him, a successful, loveable son is one with academic ability, which Edgar lacks.
One thing that Edgar does have is a fierce determination, and without the appropriate guidance from his parents, this often pushes him towards trouble. He looks up to certain people, and when they fail him, you can feel the way it hurts him.
The book has the feel of a dark, grown up fairytale. At the beginning the style does feel a little difficult, but I soon settled into it, and it became a story I couldn't wait to get back to. The characters are well written and memorable, and I couldn't help but love some, and dislike others. This is an unusual book that will stay with me for some time.
One thing that Edgar does have is a fierce determination, and without the appropriate guidance from his parents, this often pushes him towards trouble. He looks up to certain people, and when they fail him, you can feel the way it hurts him.
The book has the feel of a dark, grown up fairytale. At the beginning the style does feel a little difficult, but I soon settled into it, and it became a story I couldn't wait to get back to. The characters are well written and memorable, and I couldn't help but love some, and dislike others. This is an unusual book that will stay with me for some time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good start, shame about the ending
I loved this start of this book, some of the other reviewers have mentioned it too them a while to get into it, but I thought it was brilliant, and was hooked from the start. Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by Susan Garven
Quirky read.
This is an awesome read especially for anyone who loves dark, quirky tales. It is a haunting, atmospheric story set in the 19th century and is filled with terrific imagery and... Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2008 by kehs
Ingenious Storytelling
A masterful novel, full of striking language and beautiful images; yet reading it feels almost as though you are hearing a story aloud. Read more
Published on 16 July 2008 by Aphra B
An Ingenious story!
This is highly imaginative writing, gripping from start to finish. Full of extraordinary, weird and dangerous situations but always causing the reader to empathise with the strange... Read more
Published on 6 July 2008 by Mrs. Ann E. Leggett
Food for your imagination
An imaginative book and a really good read. Walking around Oxford is now a different experience - the gargoyles almost become alive!
Published on 5 July 2008 by Pascale Nicolet
A real page-turner
I really enjoyed this book. It's quite a dark tale in places with a bit of fantasy involved and Garner's description of the Victoria era is very atmospheric. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2008 by J. Sutton
Thoroughly enjoyable
An engrossing read in a unique style with clever narrative and obviously well researched. The author's ability to transport the reader back in time so convincingly and effortlessly... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2008 by Adam Smith
A jolly good book
I loved this book. It has shot straight into the top 5 things I've read in the past year. Helped by the fact that I am a fan of most things Victorian AND also have hair down my... Read more
Published on 14 May 2008 by Mr. Peter L. Bailey
A breath of fresh air
For those of us tired of the "I shop at Stella Mannering" brand of Oxford novel, this book is a breath of fresh air. Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by T. Roynon
Well worth a read
I really enjoyed this: set in Victorian Oxford, with arrogant academics, fights about evolution and religion, science and shams, and the energy of the industrial age all shaping... Read more
Published on 8 May 2008 by Alix H
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