- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Fourth Estate (1 July 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007291353
- ISBN-13: 978-0007291359
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.6 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 987,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘An astute observation of English manners’ Independent on Sunday
‘The touch is light, the dialogue crisp and funny, and the strength to be gained from friendships shines like a beacon’ Sunday Times
‘Delivered with humour and her dialogue is so real, you could almost believe she’s been eavesdropping in lots of west London households.’ She
Product Description
An exciting new talent, shortlisted for the 1997 Booker Prize, hailed as ‘a triumph’ by The Times, and a poignant observer of human hearts, foibles and follies. ‘’There isn’t a false note in the book, nothing but ravishing grace, wit and tender feelings.’ Mail on Sunday
Nicola’s problems began when she is finally told by her partner, Jonathan, ‘that we should part…’. She nips out to the off-licence to buy cigarettes and returns to find a stranger in her living room. The stranger looks like Jonathan, talks like Jonathan, yet Nicola did not recognise him as the man he was before. Jonathan had always been predictable, but now Nicola wondered where was the man she loved? How did he become such a mystery all of a sudden? Since when did a solicitor have hidden depths? Friends gather round, always ready to offer encouragement or insult her ex-husband, yet Nicola must face up to the adjustments of Life After Jonathan. It is not the experience of liberation, empowerment and excitement it is meant to be. Madeleine St John’s third novel is haunting and hilarious. St John is at her bittersweet best writing of the things women will do to hold on to love and the things men will do to escape it .
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'The Essence of the Thing' is a perfectly crafted account of a relationship break-up in which every word of dialogue and every development in the plot ring absolutely true. The plot is straight-forward: Nicola comes home after popping out to buy some cigarettes and her partner Jonathan, with whom she co-habits, informs her that he wants to break-up. In short, punchy chapters Madeleine St John then skillfully sets out the events that led to the pronouncement that takes so Nicola completely by shock, and the aftermath of Jonathan's unilateral decision for both parties.
Although the novel focuses more on Nicola, St John does allow Jonathan to explain the reasoning behind his decision, and there is a total absence of authorial judgment throughout the novel on the actions of the characters. This objectivity is largely achieved by allowing the characters to tell their own story through large exchanges of dialogue. And what dialogue! St John has an incredible ear, convincingly relying on dialogue both to develop the storyline and to flesh out the characters of the troubled couple, their friends and parents.
Although the novel focuses more on Nicola, St John does allow Jonathan to explain the reasoning behind his decision, and there is a total absence of authorial judgment throughout the novel on the actions of the characters. This objectivity is largely achieved by allowing the characters to tell their own story through large exchanges of dialogue. And what dialogue! St John has an incredible ear, convincingly relying on dialogue both to develop the storyline and to flesh out the characters of the troubled couple, their friends and parents.
Despite the sadness obviously inherent in the storyline, the mood of the novel is elevated by the warmth and humanity demonstrated by many of the characters, particularly towards Nicola. Furthermore, 'The Essence of the Thing' contains generous doses of humour including lively banter from Nicola's friends to cheer her up; sparkling marital exchanges between Nicola's friend Susannah and her loving husband Geoffrey; and the delightful observations of their wonder child, Guy.
Thank you so much to the judges for the 1997 Booker Prize for short-listing 'The Essence of the Thing', without which it is unlikely to have come to my attention. Booker-nominated novels, including winners, over the award's 37-year history have met fates ranging from obscurity and life in remainder bins through to near universal critical acclaim and time at the top of best-seller lists. This literary gem deserves to be widely read, so please, please track it down and help ensure that it realises its rightful destiny.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the truest, most lucid desciption of a relationship break-up that you'll ever read. Simple, elegant prose carries the reader through the plot with insight that makes you catch your breath; St. John has every feeling, every move exactly right and each line is invested with emotion and care for it's subject and characters. It is very well and originally structured - a really beautiful book.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the sort of book (one about couples splitting up) that I rarely read; I only did so because of its 1997 Booker nomination. However, I'm glad I did. Sparklingly written, gripping, very readable, and a good ending.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
badly executed
I bought this book because I liked its concept, however but I was sadly disappointed. How this book was ever short listed for the Booker prize is beyond me except that it must have... Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2008 by desireful
Funny, honest and touching....
Nicola gets dumped right at the beginning, she thought she had it all and life was perfect. How wrong can a girl be. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2000
Very quick to read book but stays with you
I found this book really easy and quick to read but unlike most books that you just fly through this one stayed in my mind for days after. Read more
Published on 1 July 1999
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