Lies: A Novel

Lies: A Novel

by EnriquedeHeriz (Author)

Synopsis

What does it really mean to be dead? This is the question that vexes Isobel because as far as the outside world is concerned she is dead. The book springs from a case of mistaken identity. Isobel, mother of three adult children and an anthropologist has officially been pronounced dead following a boat accident in a remote part of the Guatemalan jungle. But Isobel is very much alive and is hiding in a remote shack in the jungle. She isn't ready to tell the world she's still alive and she's not sure whether she ever will. The news of her own death is especially ironic because as an anthropologist, she studies death rituals. Serena, Isobel's daughter, studies weather. Her father has some form of Alzheimer's and with her mother now supposedly dead, she is trying to write the family history before it is lost. Above all, she is obsessed with the story of Simon, her father's father who was in a shipwreck and survived three days at sea before being rescued. The story of his life has become a family legend together with the tales her father told about The Battle of Formigues and the story of Li Po. Ever since she was a child, Serena has been tantalised by these stories, always asking questions, turning the 'facts' over in her mind, always trying to piece the 'truth' together. Yet the irony is that she isn't investigating the one story she really should.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 496
Edition: 1st Edition
Publisher: W&N
Published: 11 Jan 2007

ISBN 10: 0297851071
ISBN 13: 9780297851073
Book Overview: The book won the PREMI LLIBRETERS, which is the booksellers prize. Last year the prize was won by JM Coetzee. Over 50,000 hardcovers sold in Spain alone The publishing director of Flammarion, Patrice Hoffman, bought French rights. The publisher in Germany is the ex Suhrkamp boss who managed the Zafon success. Nan Talese bought for the States Author is young and promotable - he was an editor and translator 'A superb novel, full of intertwining stories that gives an almost comforting feeling, that of the reader intoxicated by the evocative - and equivocal - power of words' El Pais 'Simply wonderful...I highly recommend reading' ABC

Media Reviews
'a skilfully constructed and engaging work of fiction from an author to watch out for.' -- Angel Gurria-Quintana FINANCIAL TIMES 'Heriz's examination of generational myth-making is an elegantly plotted and absorbing read' DAILY MAIL 'The author... shows great taste and style... there is a world here to be relished' -- Louis Wise DAILY EXPRESS 'Magnificent.' -- Kate Saunders THE TIMES 'penetrating consideration of truth, lies and the power of words that deftly interweaves two perspectives to create a powerful family saga.' METRO 'one of the most enjoyable novels I've read in a long time... told with grace, humour and meticulous research.' -- Miranda France DAILY TELEGRAPH 'I was gripped from the start with this novel... written with effortless fluency. The characters are fascinating' THE INDEPENDENT 'An intriguing read.' FIRST magazine 'thoughtful insights into the power of myth-making.' OBSERVER 'This is a Russian doll of a novel, with story after story emerging from the one before.' NEW STATESMAN 'this enchanting novel expands into a captivating kaleidoscope of impossible truths and beautiful lies... delightful' -- Lisa Hilton SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
Author Bio
Enrique de Heriz was born in Barcelona in 1964. He has worked as an editor and translator including translations to Spanish of writers such as Annie Proulx, Nadine Gordimer, Stephen King, Peter Carey, and John Fowles. Travelling, music and the lives of magicians in the Victorian era are his main interests.