Noon in Paris, Eight in Chicago

Noon in Paris, Eight in Chicago

by Douglas Cowie (Author)

Synopsis

Chicago, 1947: on a freezing February night, France's feminist icon Simone de Beauvoir calls up radical resident novelist Nelson Algren, asking him to show her around. After a whirlwind tour of dive bars, cabarets and the police lockup, the pair return to his apartment on Wabansia Avenue. Here, a passion is sparked that will last for the next two decades.Their relationship intensifies during intoxicating months spent together in Paris and Chicago. But in between are long, anguished periods apart filled with competing desires - lovers old and new, writing, politics, gambling - which ultimately expose the fragility of their unconventional 'marriage' and put their devotion to the test.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: UK ed.
Publisher: Myriad Editions
Published: 26 May 2016

ISBN 10: 0956559972
ISBN 13: 9780956559975

Media Reviews
'Cowie has captured the tragic love between Nelson Algren and Simone de Beauvoir with heartfelt innocence... and exposes the tender, vulnerable soul of both with a deep sense of empathy.' Mark Blottner, co-director of Nelson Algren: The End is Nothing, The Road is All,' A classic story brought to life by classic story-telling.' The Skinny, 'Intoxicating... It feels both contemporary and classic. The relationship itself is just as much a character as de Beauvoir and Algren, who Cowie has brought to life with incredible intimacy.' Turnaround blog, 'The prose is taut, pacy and compelling... observations of the human psyche are sharp and concise. A fascinating account.' never imitate, '5 stars. An emotionally charged read... provides a depth of background, personal and historical. ' nudge: new books, 'An uncanny ability to evoke time and place.' Scotland on Sunday, 'Cowie brings a disarming voice and a freshness to proceedings.' Guardian
Author Bio
DOUGLAS COWIE is originally from Chicago and has lived in both England and Berlin since 1999. He is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. His first novel, Owen Noone and the Marauder, was published in the UK and the US in 2005. Most recently he has published two linked novellas, Sing for Life: Tin Pan Alley and Sing for Life: Away, You Rolling River in the US.