- Hardcover: 469 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books (P) (Aug 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345391357
- ISBN-13: 978-0345391353
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 16.3 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,078,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
"Stunning," said The New York Times Book Review of Sarah Smith's historical mystery, The Vanished Child, "Tells a grim tale of murder and duplicity in stately prose that subtly enhances the psychological horror." Now with The Knowledge of Water, Sarah Smith delves even more deeply into the realm of deception, forgery, and menace that she has made so uniquely her own. Set in Paris during the devastating flood of 1910, and redolent of the colorful bohemian atmosphere of the time, The Knowledge of Water is a lush, complex, beautifully written novel about the consuming pleasures of passion and the obsessive perils of art.
Three years ago, the enigmatic Alexander von Reisden proposed to the young and very lovely Perdita Halley on a train between Boston and New York. Though initially accepting, Perdita later declined, fearing that marriage would compromise her dream of becoming a concert pianist. Now Perdita has come to study at the famous Conservatoire in Paris, the endlessly romantic city where Reisden heads an institute that specializes in diagnosis of the insane. Little suspecting the depths of each other's desires, and defying social convention, Perdita and Alexander plunge into an erotic, all-consuming affair that seems destined for tragedy. For Perdita cannot marry and attend the Conservatoire; and Alexander remains haunted by guilt and a dark secret from the past. Then an American acquaintance arrives, turning mere gossip into grand scandal.
As incessant rain pours down on the city of light, an intricate network of plots and counterplots swirl around the couple. Perdita's friend, the eccentric writer, Milly Xico, hatches a plot of sweet revenge against her former husband. And a deliciously elegant game of art and life turns deadly serious as a madman stalks first Alexander and then Perdita, threatening to destroy them both in retribution for a murder they know nothing about--or do they?
Sarah Smith has the born novelist's gift of creating a world more real, more compelling, than our own--a world of fascinating, intimately realized characters, strangely deceptive appearances, and mounting suspense. In The Knowledge of Water, Sarah Smith gives us that rare reading experience--a novel as intelligent in its style as it is haunting in its revelation.
Three years ago, the enigmatic Alexander von Reisden proposed to the young and very lovely Perdita Halley on a train between Boston and New York. Though initially accepting, Perdita later declined, fearing that marriage would compromise her dream of becoming a concert pianist. Now Perdita has come to study at the famous Conservatoire in Paris, the endlessly romantic city where Reisden heads an institute that specializes in diagnosis of the insane. Little suspecting the depths of each other's desires, and defying social convention, Perdita and Alexander plunge into an erotic, all-consuming affair that seems destined for tragedy. For Perdita cannot marry and attend the Conservatoire; and Alexander remains haunted by guilt and a dark secret from the past. Then an American acquaintance arrives, turning mere gossip into grand scandal.
As incessant rain pours down on the city of light, an intricate network of plots and counterplots swirl around the couple. Perdita's friend, the eccentric writer, Milly Xico, hatches a plot of sweet revenge against her former husband. And a deliciously elegant game of art and life turns deadly serious as a madman stalks first Alexander and then Perdita, threatening to destroy them both in retribution for a murder they know nothing about--or do they?
Sarah Smith has the born novelist's gift of creating a world more real, more compelling, than our own--a world of fascinating, intimately realized characters, strangely deceptive appearances, and mounting suspense. In The Knowledge of Water, Sarah Smith gives us that rare reading experience--a novel as intelligent in its style as it is haunting in its revelation.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was a selection for our book club, and it provided a lot to talk about. A number of us gave it a top rating. The historical setting is beautifully done and the author brings in a number of interesting issues, including feminism, men/women relations, questions of the disabled. The way the book builds to a flood that coincides with the climax is stunning.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was excellent. I loved the images of turn-of-the-century Paris and its suburbs. I also loved the usage of the French language. The mystery was involving and kept the reader guessing until the resolution. I am now reading it for the second time and it is just as good. I intend to read the prequel to this (The Vanished Child) sometime very soon. Sarah Smith has a very unique way of words and describes scenes while leaving some to the imagination.
Format:Hardcover
Perdita's struggle to balance career and love was well presented. However, the use of the artist community did nothing to carry the story line. There was little motivation to investigate forgeries during deathly flood. Leonard's character and Alex's past only muddied the waters. Much pretention, little substance. Throw this book a life preserver!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting take on Parisian Belle Epoque
I picked this up at the airport, in search of something that would tide me over a 4 day trip. The good things in it were the descriptions of the hero's passion for a woman he feels... Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2000
Engrossing, thought-provoking, and a good read.
I found The Knowledge of Water to be an absorbing blend of mystery, period history and romance; but before you write it off as a bodice-ripper, let me add that the characters are... Read more
Published on 31 Dec 1997
Passionate study of women driven to excellence.
Even though this book is set at the turn of the century, the choices and actions of women speak to the women of today. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 1997
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