A Long Way from Verona

ISBN: 1609451414

Author: Gardam, Jane

Condition: New

Far more than just another coming-of-age story from the award-winning author of the Old Filth trilogy (Bustle).Jane Gardams marvelous stories of young girls on the threshold of womanhood-God on the Rocks and Crusoes Daughter-have delighted fans and critics alike. These modern classics are now joined by a novel that is equally fresh and genuine, comic and touching (The Independent). Jessica Vye introduces herself with an enigmatic pronouncement: I ought to tell you at the beginning that I am not quite normal, having had a violent experience at the age of nine. A revered author has told Jessica that she is, beyond all doubt, a born writer. This proves an accurate prediction of the future, one that indelibly colors her life at school and her perception of the world. Jessica has always known that her destiny would be shaped by her refusal to conform, her compulsion to tell the absolute truth, and her dedication to observing the strange wartime world that surrounds her. What she doesnt know, however, is that the experiences and ideas that set her apart will also lead her to a new and wholly unexpected life. Told with grace and inimitable wit, A Long Way from Verona is a wise and vivid portrait of adolescent discovery and impending adulthood.A book to be judged by the highest standards.-The SpectatorA brilliant, witty, and agonizingly true-to-life novel.-The Times Literary SupplementA fiercely funny and personal book.-The EconomistThe qualities for which Gardam is cherished (the quirkiness, the bright-eyed wonder at reality) are already apparent in this early work. -Kirkus Reviews