The Hartlepool Monkey

The Hartlepool Monkey

by SeanLongley (Author)

Synopsis

When Simon Legris, a physician from Paris, returns from an expedition to Africa, he brings home a monkey that understands human speech and names him Jacques LeSinge. Utterly devoted to him, Jacques becomes his servant. While in the service of an ailing marquis, Legris receives some shattering hews - Jacques has been accused of molesting the aristocrat's wife and has been dismissed in disgrace. After an audacious French Revolutionary plot goes wrong, Jacques stands in the dock in Hartlepool accused of espionage. Warrens, a lowly 'one-guinea brief' barrister, stands to defend him. In the greatest challenge of his career, he mounts a defence that asks: what makes a man? A demonically witty digest of all things eighteenth-century, this is an eccentric and hugely entertaining debut.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Edition: 1st Edition
Publisher: Doubleday
Published: 29 Jan 2008

ISBN 10: 0385612532
ISBN 13: 9780385612531
Book Overview: A historical romp based on the folk tale of the monkey found in French naval uniform in the docks of Hartlepool after the Napoleonic Wars and hanged as an enemy agent.

Media Reviews
Sean Longley is a marvellous new talent. The Hartlepool Monkey had me gripped from beginning to end Amanda Foreman, author of GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE A sparkling debut...The possibilities for humour are obvious, but what impresses is the way the author has latched on to its serious potential. A beautifully told tale Mail on Sunday An imaginative first novel...comic and irreverent The Times This historical incident is rich material for a novel, and Longley attacks his subject with relish...Longley's period detail is spot-on, his style vivacious. Guardian Full of period colour, racy incident and simian heroism, it's hard to see how a reader could fail to be thrilled Independent on Sunday
Author Bio
Sean Longley is a one guinea brief. He lives in South London with his family.