- Hardcover: 211 pages
- Publisher: Random House Inc (T) (Feb 1976)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0394401999
- ISBN-13: 978-0394401997
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,073,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Turtle Diary (Bloomsbury Paperbacks)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The turtles in London Zoo become the mutual obsession of two lonely strangers who dream of setting free the turtles and themselves. Detail by detail their diaries record a world in which thought leads to action and action brings William G. and Neaera H. to their own open sea.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Russell Hoban is the author of many extraordinary novels including THE LION OF BOAZ-JACHIN AND JACHIN-BOAZ, RIDDLEY WALKER, MR RINYO-CLACTION'S OFFER and most recently, ANGELICA'S GROTTO . He has also written some classic books for children including THE MOUSE AND HIS CHILD and THE FRANCES books. He lives in London.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm amazed that no one else has reviewed this book. I read it every few years and whenever I need a little "literary therapy". It may seem a little dated and "hippy" to some readers but it is full of heart stopping moments of absolute truth if you can see past the patchouli oil. It contains too many gems to go into much detail here but I find the section about Port Sunlight particularly profound, alongside the musings about The Department of Capitulation. An underrated, beautiful and life-enhancing read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A note to the previous reviewer, you're not alone. This is my favourite novel too.
I love the humanity of it. The fact that whilst describing vividly themes of depression and loneliness the book feels so magical and life affirming. It's also very English yet written, I belive by an American. Perhaps he has the neccesary perspective to write about such themes with a lightness of touch.
The way I feel about this book isn't easily put into words but if you're at all curious, it's well worth checking out. As an aside, I once read an interview with the American singer songwriter, Will Oldham, in which he expressed his admiration of the book and put out a plea for help finding a copy. So good that its now back in print.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
No fantasy elements; no pyrotechnics. Just a beautifully written (of course) story of metaphorically mis-placed middle-aged misfits. Deeply human and humane. Coming to this book, one expects the planned release of the turtles to be the climatic finale; it isn't. The point is that the turtles' freedom triggers the protagonists' re-engagement with life and personal relationships, the latter of which is, after all, what life is all about, I suppose.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not his best (but still head and shoulders over many)
Set in London in the hippy-trippy 70s, this seems to have dated much more than Hoban's other books. I found the gender politics especially irksome. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Helen Barnes
Wonderful book
Two lonely, eccentric people, Neara H. and William G. unite in their determination to return a zoo turtle to the sea. If that sounds sentimental or twee it isn't at all. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ali
ANother great Hoban tale
This is a lovely novel - more instantly accessible than some Hoban stories, but none the poorer for that. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ben Trovato
Funny and poignant
I loved this book - it is funny, sensitive and full of the unexpected. A story of two lonely people who make their own freedom by doing an exceedingly good deed.
Published on 6 Sep 2009 by Gillian Crozier
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