- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited (1 Jun 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1904598676
- ISBN-13: 978-1904598671
- Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 13.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 597,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
In April 1891, two matters greatly excite the inhabitants of Edinburgh: the decennial Population Census and the Annual General Meeting of the Edinburgh Society for the Propagation of a Universal Language. The General Secretary, Mr Justice, is a militant champion of the highly popular language 'Volapuk'; but he is locked in a battle for with Dr Bosman, a shameless apologist for 'Esperanto'. Mr Justice travels the east coast of Scotland in part conducting classes in the grammar and vocabulary of Volapuk. En route, he recruits a secret ally - an ill-behaved old gentleman who has promised to bring the majority over to the Volapuk camp. But, when the AGM does not deliver the expected victory, treachery is revealed. After an epic debate, some scones, and many cups of tea, Mr Justice decides to kidnap Dr. Bosman, teach him some grammar, and retreat with him to the Mavisbank Private Lunatic Asylum. Tragically, Bosman is the Census Officer for Edinburgh, and his absence during the Census brings unwelcome attention from the authorities.
About the Author
Andy Drummond was born in Edinburgh and educated at the University of Aberdeen, where he studied modern languages. He has published a number of translations from German, and his first novel An Abridged History was published by Polygon in 2004. He lives in Edinburgh.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
highly entertaining,
By
This review is from: Volapuk (Paperback)
This is a very entertaining historical novel with several scenes that made me laugh out loud. The narrator is involved in the census, the universal language movement, and in dealing with a difficult travel companion. Along the way he tries to teach Volapuk to anyone who will listen to him (and the lessons are included in the book, so you can actually learn the basics of classical Volapuk by studying this text). His conflicts with the proponents of other constructed languages are hilarious and will seem startingly familiar to anyone who has been involved in this milieu.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The quest for an international language,
By
This review is from: Volapuk (Paperback)
Andrew Drummond, in his first novel An Abridged History and in this latest offering, is in process of creating a unique style of writing that keeps his readers on their toes. At what point of the novel will Drummond digress from apparent reality to illusion and delusion? He displays a fertile imagination in constructing his plots, thoroughly backed up with research in order to accurately depict historical context. A Hand-book of Volapük accompanies Gemmell Hunter Ibidem Justice in his meanderings around Scotland, in 1891, in pursuit of his craft of repairing and maintaining church organs. But Justice's every spare moment is occupied by a greater mission, that of promoting an International Language - Volapük. But Justice has an adversary who has the same objective of evangelising the use of a tongue comprehended by all, Dr Henry Bosman - except that Bosman advocates Esperanto. The two are locked in vigorous rivalry as they endeavour to gather their individual followings. The latter part of the novel finds our combatants involved in intrigues in Mavisbank lunatic asylum - or were they there all the time? An escape attempt by hot air balloon does not go to plan, which brings us back to the beginning of the novel and how Charles Cordiner, professor of phrenology, was able to acquire Justice's notes to compile this Hand-book of Volapük. In addition to enjoying a good read, you can even learn the basics of this universal language, which may stand you in good stead should it ever catch on.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gloriously eccetric - and educational, too.,
By
This review is from: Volapuk (Paperback)
A wonderfully eccentric novel featuring some equally eccentric characters and an even more eccentric language. Apart from the protagonist and narrator, Mr Justice, there is Sir Thomas, an elderly gent who speaks in riddles but seduces young ladies with alarming ease, Mr Jo (pronounced "Shaw"), and Cödel Yagöl, the Hunting Judge, who is Justice's alter ego, a sort of Judge Dredd of the Volapük world.
Read carefully and you will be both entertained AND instructed - you will learn a little Volapük, its complex declensions and much more, and realise why it never caught on. Sötol studön volapük al kanön pükön ko nets valik - You ought to study Volapük so you can speak with every nation!
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