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The Golden Gate (FF Classics)
 
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The Golden Gate (FF Classics) (Paperback)

by Vikram Seth (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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3 new from £6.95 19 used from £0.01 1 collectible from £2.50
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Hardcover (1st ed.) 16 used & new from £6.90
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Product details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Faber and Faber; New edition edition (5 April 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0571200389
  • ISBN-13: 978-0571200382
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.8 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 194,256 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #13 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > S > Seth, Vikram

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Product Description

Product Description
Written in verse, this was Vikram Seth's first novel. Set in the 1980s, in the affluence and sunshine of California's silicon valley, it is the story of twenty-somethings looking for love, pleasure and the meaning of life.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Golden Gate (FF Classics)
66% buy the item featured on this page:
The Golden Gate (FF Classics) 4.9 out of 5 stars (15)
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars IT'LL NEVER WORK! (to the tune of Baddiel&Skinner unplanned), 11 May 2003
A novel written in sonnets; Well it worked for Pushkin and it most definitely works for Vikram Seth.

I first discovered Vikram Seth, when i was sent a copy of his first (travel) book 'From Heaven's Lake' to review. This book was brilliant and I boldly described it as one of the greatest travel books which would ever be written. Nearly twenty-five years later, I have not changed my opinion about that book one iota.

I approached 'Golden Gate' however, with hesitancy. It all seemed a bit gimmicky and although I was a big fan of Pushkin's 'Eugene Onegin', also written in sonnets, I felt that Seth's book would be, at best, an anachronism. How wrong I was! This book is truly one of THE great works of modern literature and cannot be praised highly enough. It is quite simply, beautiful.

Vikram Seth has now found international fame as a result of the bestselling 'A Suitable Boy', but, in my opinion, this is his greatest work. It's just a shame I won't be around in a hundred years to remind everyone of how perceptive I was! (and humble; we mustn't forget humble)

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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars After this amazing book, you will think in iambic tetrameter, 18 May 2002
This book, written complete in sonnet verse is simply amazing. When you open the cover and discover that not only, the main text, but the Acknowlegments, Table of Contents, Dedication, and "About The Authour" are also written in sonnet form, you'll know that Seth means business.

The entire book is written in Iambic Tetrameter (with strict rhyming to boot), yet though I thought this would be forboding, it really wasn't, and is amazingly readable. You'll even find yourself, having put the book down, thinking and talking in the line length that the authour uses!

The book itself, details the lives of a close knit group of Californians, initially centering about a programmer (though the omnisient narrator darts around a bit) and his life, relationships, and the waxing and waning of his friendships. Seth achieves this with utmost brilliance as the protagonist falls in and out of love, even venturing into brief promiscuity.

The Golden Gate ends with a few broken hearts, and is indeed vaguely depressing towards its finale. Seth's style, however, is true to the end, and indeed it is a well recommended read (even if just for the experience!). Just pick it up and be immersed - you won't be able to put it down.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing combination of dexterity and understanding, 2 Aug 2000
By A Customer
Read this book. Seth manages to sustain throughout the length of a novel a demanding verse form which allows him to demonstrate a high degree of technical dexterity and poetic wit. More important, he tells a tale which demonstrates a deep sympathy with all his characters: Seth pardons all because he understands all. Once you've read the story for the plot you will read it again to savour the many felicities of language and, pervading all, nothing less than a philosophy of life based on the acceptance of others and the value of friendship and love.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendously magical
I was tickled to come across this book again recently, which I first read over 15 years ago. If you enjoy good writing, you'll love this book. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Aesop

5.0 out of 5 stars The Golden, Great Vikram Seth
Since I got a little - ok, a lot - carried away with my review, I thought I'd begin with my concluding paragraph so that you don't have to wade through my ravings (unless you'd... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ms. Katie J. Down

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and entertaining
An astonishing 300 pages of rhyming verse recount the story of a group of young Californians as they strive to make sense of their lives and loves. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2006 by 100wordreviewer

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all true
I can only add my agreement to what has been said before. This is undoubtedly one of the finest books written in the past fifty years. An amazing achievement.
Published on 7 Jan 2004 by vickibraggart

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute joy
I have read this book out loud to myself and to friends (and relatives!) about five times. I have given about eight copies away. Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is this book so little known?
I found this book rather 'by accident' in the library (when actually looking for a different Seth title). Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars A Golden Opportunity
If you should think a novel's weak in verse / Then read this one and do not be averse / To trying something new with open mind / And leaving dullard prose quite far behind. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Dexterity and soulfulness combine in a rich modern epic
A fresh, unusual and highly entertaining experiment to hark back to the ancient Epic tradition, and bring it right up to date in modern California. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Most definitely a read-more-than-once novel!
An extremely intelligent, appealing, absorbing story. The characters are warm and sympathetic albeit a little frustrating at times - almost real-life!!! Read more
Published on 13 May 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous!
Surprisingly, a very good read! Stiff verses - not here! The ease and intelligence with which Seth composes each verse, into a classic novel, is highly readable and extremely... Read more
Published on 11 May 1999

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