The Globe and Mail carried a nice interview yesterday with Edward Carey, who apparently has a new book out. I’m in DC for the weekend, so went to Olsson’s to find it today without any luck; if it’s anything like as good as his last one, it’s going to be very good indeed. Observatory Mansions is one of the best novels I’ve read in the last couple of years - a little Beckett and Kafka, a lot of Bruno Schulz, and an entirely original - and nasty - sense of humour underneath it all. The book is narrated by Francis Orme, last scion of a decayed line of minor aristocrats, living in the dilapidated family pile, which has been turned into apartments for a varied set of freaks, shut-ins and misanthropes. Some lovely set scenes (the wax museum where Francis used to work as a human statue is wonderful); the book flags a little towards the end, as Francis begins to develop a sense of humanity despite himself, but is still very, very funny. Am looking forward to the next installment.
Posted by Henry at April 11, 2003 06:31 PM | TrackBackVery interesting
Posted by: Steven at October 21, 2003 06:54 AM