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Varying Degrees of Hopelessness

Varying Degrees of Hopelessness

by Lucy Ellmann (Author)

  • Used

    Paperback 2003

    $3.16

  • Used

    Paperback 1992

    $3.16
Synopsis

In an eminent London art institute - the Catafalque - Our Heroine Isabel (she of the obsessional habits, perpetual virginity and peculiar belly button) sit in wistful contemplation of Chardin's brushstrokes and the virile red socks of passing lecturers. Isabel's wholly imaginary love life (based on the romantic notions of authoress Babs Cartwheel) bears little resemblance to that of her flatmate Pol, who prefers to grip reality by the balls. Enter Robert, victim of an American childhood, kitsch memorabilia, academic rivalry, Pol's belly-dancing and Isabel's mute adoration. Can he be perverse enough not to despair?

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 192
 Edition: New edition
 Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 06 Jan 2003
ISBN 10: 0747562725
ISBN 13: 9780747562726
Book Overview: A backlist title acquired and published to tie in with Lucy Ellmann's fabulous new book DOT IN THE UNIVERSE Lucy is the author of the bestselling and hugely successful SWEET DESSERTS which won the 1988 GUARDIAN Fiction Prize 'Funny and furious what the author is interested in is the hopelessness of life. Her merry little novel is a vehicle for disgust. Lucy Ellmann is clever, and very angry' THE TIMES

Media Reviews
It's worrying when a publisher describes an author's book as 'the breakthrough novel' and more so when certain words on each page are printed in CAPITAL LETTERS. Ellmann's fourth novel is an acquired taste, verging on the PRETENTIOUS, yet riven with ironic, acidic and unique observations about life and death. Dot's 'perfect husband' uses the cover of his fishing trips for affairs with insatiable women. For unconnected reasons - being 40 and terrified of death - she decides to hang herself and, having failed, kills off various old ladies instead. The plot gets zanier and more outrageous, especially in the underworld and Dot's reincarnation as a possum. However, Ellmann's devices challenge our preconceptions. What if lobsters rose up and boiled us alive or oysters ate us raw?
Author Bio
Lucy Ellmann's other novels are SWEET DESSERTS, which won the 1988 GUARDIAN Fiction Prize, MAN OR MANGO? and DOT IN THE UNIVERSE.