Monsieur Linh and His Child - Softcover

Claudel, Philippe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0857050990 ISBN 13: 9780857050991

Publisher: Quercus Publishing, 2012

Synopsis

Traumatized by memories of his war-ravaged country, and with his son and daughter-in-law dead, Monsieur Linh travels to a foreign land to bring the child in his arms to safety. The other refugees in the detention centre are unsure how to help the old man; his caseworkers are compassionate, but overworked. Monsieur Linh struggles beneath the weight of his sorrow, and becomes increasingly bewildered and isolated in this unfamiliar, fast-moving town. And then he encounters Monsieur Bark. They do not speak each other's language, but Monsieur Bark is sympathetic to the foreigner's need to care for the child. Recently widowed and equally alone, he is eager to talk, and Monsieur Linh knows how to listen. The two men share their solitude, and find friendship in an unlikely dialogue between two very different cultures.

Monsieur Linh and His Child is a remarkable novel with an extraordinary twist, a subtle portrait of friendship and a dialogue between two cultures.

About this title

About the Author:

Philippe Claudel is a university lecturer, novelist and scriptwriter. He has written 14 novels that have been translated into various languages. He was born in Dombasle-sur-Meurthe in 1962 where he still lives. Claudel says that he woke up one morning with the opening sentence of Brodeck's Report in his head: â??My name is Brodeck and I am not responsible.
John Cullen is the translator of more than 15 books from French, Spanish, Italian and German. He has twice been shortlisted for the IMPAC award, and was also shortlisted for the Duncan Lawrie International Dagger in 2007.

Review:

'Like all good fables, it conveys the sense of a greater significance beyond itself' Daniel Hahn, Independent.―Independent

'an impossibly elegant novel, one that makes you sort of wistful at the beauty of the words and their meaning' Black Sheep Dances.―Black Sheep Dances

'This is an extraordinary, powerful and moving novel of the refugee experience ... Highly recommended' Sarah Bower, Historical Novels Society.―Historical Novels Society

'There is nothing sentimental about the prose, which is as restrained and delicate as a piece of Indochinese artwork' Ophelia Field, Guardian.―Guardian

'A delicately sympathetic portrayal of trauma, as well as a poignant evocation of guilt' Maya Jaggi, Guardian.―Guardian

'Exquisite' Allan Massie, Scotsman.―Scotsman

'Claudel maintains a simplicity and sensitivity throughout the book, mirroring the compassion and sympathy that the men share for each other' Irish Times.―Irish Times

'An exquisitely crafted little gem of a book' Rebecca Isherwood, Skinny.―Skinny

About this edition

• Publisher: Quercus Publishing
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0857050990
• ISBN 13: 9780857050991
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144