He pries open the soul with each sweep of his calipers. For in the land of the Well-Built City, study of the body's shape is a most exacting science. It can determine a person's character, uncover his deepest secrets, even foretell the future. And in the hands of an expert like Physiognomist Cley, this solemn intelligence delivers perfect justice from which fortunes are claimed or lost, careers are shaped or shattered, lives are continued or cut away. A man who commands such titanic forces may ignore the dark pools of arrogance and corruption which lie closer at hand - but only for a time. Very soon, Cley will discover the truth about himself and his profession, as his world of privilege dissolves into a nightmarish odyssey, careening toward a fate not even the great physiognomist can predict.
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"A modern allegory in the manner of Franz Kafka...."-- "The New York Times""Ford is a gifted writer who has produced a real page-turner of a moral allegory..."-- "Locus"
About the Author
Jeffrey Ford is a professor of writing and early American literature at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey and the author of MEMORANDA, THE BEYOND and of THE PORTRAIT OF MRS. CHARBUQUE (also published by Macmillan).
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Intriguing ideas, and plot that pulls you into the reading. However, this book is not for anybody - you will have to accept whole lot about dark side of society while reading it.
In the book, you will see a development of the character of a "not such a nice person" Cley, but - it's up to you to find out everything about him. He'll have romantic encounters, too...
In the book, you will see a development of the character of a "not such a nice person" Cley, but - it's up to you to find out everything about him. He'll have romantic encounters, too...
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
One of the most unique books I've read in years, it defies any specific genre. Ford is a masterful writer, creating some scenes that evoke such a sense of adventure that I found myself peeking around my room half-expecting to see the more frightful scenes of the book coming to life. A must-read.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The morals of this book are that Beauty Is Only Skin Deep and People Should Forgive Each Others' Failings--simplistic enough to be potentially sickening. The imagery of the Fruit of Eternal Life/Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Earthly Paradise likewise could be overly familiar. Nonetheless this book is a masterpiece, largely due to a hallucinogenic atmosphere, strange settings, and a sardonic sense of humor. Frankly, I preferred Cley while he was still wicked and the Well-Built City to the Earthly Paradise.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent.
Excellent original fantasy, beautifully grotesque. I couldn't put it down, and I'll certainly be picking up his other books sometime soon. Buy it. Read it.
Published on 31 Oct 2003 by Mr. N. L. Asher
4.0 out of 5 stars
wonderfully original!
What I enjoyed most about this book is its originality. I primarily read fantasy and science fiction, and after reading so many books that follow the usual cliches of the genres,... Read more
Published on 25 Dec 1998
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