Wise Children: A Novel (FSG Classics) - Softcover

Carter, Angela

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0374530947 ISBN 13: 9780374530945

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007

Synopsis

In their heyday on the vaudeville stages of the early twentieth century, Dora Chance and her twin sister, Nora―unacknowledged daughters of Sir Melchior Hazard, the greatest Shakespearean actor of his day―were known as the Lucky Chances, with private lives as colorful and erratic as their careers. But now, at age 75, Dora is typing up their life story, and it is a tale indeed that Angela Carter tells. A writer known for the richness of her imagination and wit as well as her feminist insights into matters large and small, she created in Wise Children an effervescent family saga that manages to celebrate the lore and magic of show business while also exploring the connections between parent and child, the transitory and the immortal, authenticity and falsehood.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Wise Children follows the fortunes of the Chance twins, Dora and Nora, taking in the story of their show business family -- the Hazards -- over the past century. Born illegitimately, spurned by their father Melchior and brought up by their landlady, Mrs Chance, Dora and Nora learn to dance, and begin to forge a career, ?two girls pounding the boards?. After the post-war decline of their careers they are reduced to performing in nude revues, while the latest generation of Hazards rise to fame as stars of television. Angela Carter's witty and bawdy new novel celebrates the magic of over a century of show business.

From the Back Cover:

"One of the century’s best writers" -- Sunday Times

"A fine, fierce, incandescent talent" -- Tom Adair, Scotland on Sunday

"She was a great writer and a great feminist, and will be read for illumination and entertainment for many years to come" -- New Statesman

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0374530947
• ISBN 13: 9780374530945
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240