Elizabeth Alone
-
-
4.0 • 1 Rating
-
-
- £5.99
-
- £5.99
Publisher Description
Elizabeth Alone by William Trevor - a powerful and moving novel from one of the world's finest writers
After nineteen years of marriage, three children and a brief but passionate affair followed by a quick divorce, Elizabeth Aidallbery has to go to hospital for an emergency operation. From her hospital bed she has the leisure to take stock of her life, and frankly it doesn't look very edifying: there's the 17 year old daughter who's run off to a commune with her boyfriend; an old hopeless suitor who continues to press his claims; and of course the memory of the havoc she caused by the affair.
No doubt she could put her life back in order. But need that involve all those people who cause her so much heartache?
Readers of Love and Summer and Felicia's Journey will be delighted by Elizabeth Alone. It will also be enjoyed by readers of Colm Toibin and William Boyd.
'A finely observed, gently sensitive comedy, delightful to read' Daily Telegraph
'Trevor is a master of both language and storytelling' Hilary Mantel
William Trevor was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, in 1928, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He has lived in England for many years. The author of numerous acclaimed collections of short stories and novels, he has won many awards including the Whitbread Book of the Year, The James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence. He has been shortlisted three times for the Booker Prize: in 1976 with his novel The Children of Dynmouth, in 1991 with Reading Turgenev and in 2002 with The Story of Lucy Gault. He recently received the prestigious David Cohen Literature Prize in recognition of a lifetime's literary achievement.
Customer Reviews
The human tragicomedy
What a wonderful “True Trevor”, one of his novels you certainly wish to read again ! All characters are drawn with prominent features and the four woman in hospital, building four couples-real or imagined-
will win everyone’s heart. I felt particularly drawn to Lily, the small woman there to prevent her fifth miscarriage and subject to rejection by her in-laws. Also Henry struck me as extraordinary, the lively boy who becomes a looser-adult for whom all goes wrong, but who is still so likeable. The figure of the surgeon was a surprise, who goes on precise mental journeys whilst examining woman or operating on them in order to block out his feelings. William Trevor knows about people’s hopes and longings, he is able to outline a whole life in a few paragraphs, so that it is unforgettable.
There is a lot of sadness and disappointment in the book, but humour, surprise and courage also ! Definitely recommended.