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The Discovery of Heaven (Paperback)

by Harry Mulisch (Author) "At the stroke of midnight I contrived a short-circuit ..." (more)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
RRP: £12.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 736 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin; New Ed edition (26 Feb 1998)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140272380
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140272383
  • Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.2 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 84,512 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #2 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > V > Vincent, Paul

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Product Description

Product Description

On a cold night in Holland, Max Delius - a hedonistic, yet brilliant astronomer who loves fast cars, nice clothes and women - picks up Onno Quist, a cerebral chaotic philologist who cannot bear the banalities of everyday life. They are like fire andwater. But when they learn they were conceived on the same day, it is clear that something extraordinary is about to happen. Their worlds become inextricably intertwined, as they embark on a life's journey destined to change the course of human history. A magnum opus that is also a masterful thriller.


About the Author

Harry Mulisch was born in Holland and is author of the international best-seller THE ASSAULT, which has been translated into 22 languages and an award winning screenplay. He lives in Amsterdam.
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At the stroke of midnight I contrived a short-circuit. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

32 Reviews
5 star:
 (25)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A singularly Dutch novel of philosophical ideas., 15 Jan 2001
By A Customer
There is enough material in The Discovery of Heaven to fill several books, and a writer of lesser integrity might have split the phases of Ada, Max, Onno, Sophia and Quinten's lives into separate volumes. Instead, Mulisch expertly, if sometimes jarringly, even violently, welds them together using what would otherwise have been cliffhanger endings as startling links between episodes of quite different flavours. This literary device is crucial to the plot; it reflects the experiences and informs the reactions of the characters with precision. It is only one aspect of this intelligent novel which delights, intrigues and challenges at all levels.

It is a very Dutch story and I was repeatedly reminded of my several Dutch friends throughout. I was especially pleased with Max's humanity -- as an astronomer myself, it was refreshing to find such a character with infinitely more depth than an inappropriate white lab-coat.

The story is a fantasy of grand design, set in a tangibly real world with convincing, larger-than-life characters, resulting in fiction which carries more truth than its fair share. There are no mundane details and the character's every act is touched with subtle significance. A read to add richness to any life.

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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well-written and intensely intriguing. A must-read!, 28 Mar 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Discovery of Heaven (Paperback)
The Discovery of Heaven is indeed one of the best works of fiction I have ever read, with an intricately fashioned plot, and characters that come to life, making you wish that you could share in the friendship that exists between Max Delius and Onno Quist. The story guides you on a quest throughout Europe, eventually leading you to one of the greatest treasures mankind will ever know. It presents scenarios that inspire love, hate, sorrow, joy, and a multitude of others that draw you in from page one! Being a theologian, it was difficult, if not angersome, to come to terms with several of the religious aspects of the novel, but that's what great literature does--it inspires emotion. This book exceeds that goal. After reading this novel--and I hope you do lest you miss out on one of the greatest masterpieces of the century--you will have found that The Discovery of Heaven is truly the discovery of a lifetime.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If you read one more book in your life - READ THIS !, 6 Jul 2000
By A Customer
I can't quite remember ever having read a book that so eloquently tells a story. A fantastic,tragic,intoxicating tale unfolds to the backdrop of 1960's Europe with our two leading infectious characters philosophizing at every turn. Events switch from Amsterdam to Cuba to Krakow in a blistering, intellectual tour de force.Ultimately,I believe,this is a book that tries to fathom the mystery of human relationships and existence and how we are conditioned by the make-up of our kinfolk.I've just finished reading this book for the second time and was left even more breathless than the first.I think it's the kind of book that demands to be read more than once because believe me, the next time around, you'll be glad you did.If you are the kind of person who relishes the experience of learning and understanding then pick up this book.I urge you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Overstuffed with disparate themes
The fullest review I have read of this book on Amazon is by Damian Kelleher (22 October 2007), and I suggest you read his review before you read mine, for that saves me from... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ralph Blumenau

4.0 out of 5 stars Rich in ideas and culture, but ultimately disappointing
The Discovery of Heaven is packed with felicitous turns of phrase, insights, and cultural allusions. Read more
Published 18 months ago by James Joyce

5.0 out of 5 stars The Discovery of Heaven
Two angels are conversing. Apparently, Francis Bacon - the 16th century scientist credited with establishing, among other things, the scientific methodology known as the 'Baconian... Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2007 by Damian Kelleher

5.0 out of 5 stars An philosophical exploration and epic journey!
This is a great novel and, for me, everything that a novel should be; characters that develop within an immense plot, an epic journey and an exploration of philosophy, pyschology... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2006 by MEB

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever
This is probably the best book I have ever read. I had always been rather hesitant to start this book because of its size and the prospect of it being a very complex book as... Read more
Published on 7 April 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid magic-realistic dutch novel
As other customers already mentioned, I agree that this novel reminds me to the works of Umberto Eco. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly my favorite read ....
Somehow I initially struggled to get into this one, much in the manner of rather weighty books with small typeface and a 'relatively' slow start. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, bizarre plotting...
This is an excellent book. I bought it on the basis of a recommendation from someone who had also enjoyed Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco and was not disappointed. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2001 by Nick Richards

5.0 out of 5 stars You think you've been reading books all your life.......
I've read de ontdekking van de hemel, and decided to test the translation. Even translated the epic bomb remains. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinarily big & clever book
Late one night, whilst driving through the deserted streets of The Hague, womanising astronomer Max Delius happens upon absent-minded linguist Onno Quist in what seems to them a... Read more
Published on 20 Dec 1999

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