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Summary: Some words of advice on reading this incredible novel
Review: In addition to echoing the words of praise written by other reviewers, I implore you to heed a few words of advice:1. DO NOT read too many reviews here! There are big spoilers below that will ruin your own experience of this novel. Once you're convinced to read this book, skip the rest of these reviews and come back when you're done! 2. Read a summary of the historical background of this period in English history and be ready to refer to it often. An encyclopedia would be handy for background on some of the historical figures. 3. Don't be in a rush. You'll be reading this for the first time only once; savor the details as you go. 4. I agree with an earlier reviewer: take notes. The book is simply too long and complex to keep everything straight in your head. Familiar names reappear in the story, events resurface, and a few notes about the characters and plot will help jog your memory. In this respect the novel reminds me greatly of Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. You'll miss a lot if you just plow through at top speed. Does all this sound like a lot to ask? It may be for some readers. But some of the best things in life require a little effort.
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Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: I happened upon this book by chance as it's not my typical sort of interest. I was on a trip and left my book (half-read) on the plane. I bought this book at random out of desperation, and then couldn't put it down. I wish Iain Pears had some other books written in the same period -- it was so well done. I am going to try the Raphael Affairs (?) and hope that I will enjoy it half as much.
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Summary: A historic four way murder account
Review: This is definitely a terrific read. The book provides you with a historic setting not often used in modern literature. The first part is rather dry and leaves you with an uncomfortable feeling. The three other parts are immediately reaching out for your full attention and the exciting story makes you turn page after page. One of the better books of the last years of this millennium.
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Summary: Pretty deep
Review: I'm more of a reader of historical fiction set in contemporary times, preferring novels like "From Here to Eternity" or "The Triumph and the Glory", but Pears' book caught my eye and a friend had read it so I bought a copy and settled into read it. I was captivated by the new experience of a literary mystery, but am not accustomed to working so hard for my entertainment! Still, when all was said and done I have to say I was pleased. Hurrah for "An Instance of the Fingerpost", it has won me over to frowning a bit in concentration while reading.
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Summary: Brilliant......I could not put this book down.
Review: Combining espionage, murder, intrigue and love in a series of short narratives. In the fashion of Eco, Pears relates four seperate versions of a series of events that occured in and around Oxford in the late 1660's that provide a truly fascinating insight into that time. The story starts with the arrival of Marco Da Cola in Oxford and each narrative accounts the writers thoughts and actions in the events that follow. Each narrative provides a wonderful insight into the mind of the men who play pivotal roles in events and it is easy to forget they are all wriiten by the same man. The depth of emotion in each tale is as passionate as it is varied. Pears keeps the reader riveted, exciting such strong feelings of empathy for each character that it becomes impossible to put the book down. The final narrative, by Anthony Wood, gives perhaps the most moving insight into the events and the times........with a wondeful twist at the end this is a MUST read book. If you read nothing else....read this book.
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Summary: Hey! No fair posting your review twice!
Review: Once again, this is not a book for the shallow, the impatient, or the easily bored. It IS a book for those who are willing to invest some effort, and who are curious to learn more about a place and time where many of the ideas and institutions we take for granted today were hammered into shape. For those who enjoyed the threads of political intrigue portrayed in Pears' novel and want to see how they impacted the English colonies in North America, I highly recommend '1676: The End of American Independence'.
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Summary: a perfect treadmill of boredom
Review: After struggling for five weeks and becoming more and more confused by characters, events, and so forth, I simply have called it quits. My interest waned at about page 200 and I gave up around 400. Seventeenth century viewpoints were interesting and Pears style was better than most writing today. However, I many times wished for an abridged version. Like hearing Wagner's operas,it was interesting at first, but sheer length left me yawning.
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Summary: Take notes!
Review: This book just returned to me from my brother. It was a gift to me from him 15 months ago after I sustained a cerebral hemmorhage and subsequent brain surgery. My brother has an interest in the historical period covered, and gave the book to me on condition that I loan it to him after I finished reading it. It was a challenge to me at the time, but I did find it quite intriguing, particularly the Rashomon like format, and the inclusion of historical characters, not often met in popular fiction. By the later sections of the book, I found myself strongly wishing I had taken notes earlier, as I was too lazy to reread earlier sections and couldn't remember things in enough detail. I urged my brother to take notes as he was about to undertake his reading. He didn't, and now wishes he had. Read the book, but TAKE NOTES!
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Summary: a thrilling investigation set during the restauration
Review: Just like the philosophers of the time it describes, the book has many levels of interests. It delves into the historic, scientific and politic background of the time while conducting a clever investigation of a particular crime. If, like me, you love detective novels but you often think they are too 'one dimensional', you will appreciate the depth and richness of this tale.
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Summary: Mixed
Review: Pears is incredibly knowledgeable and has carefully constructed an intriguing and believable plot. This is one of the few mysteries which forced me to return an reread a scene three or four times. The use of the multiple viewpoints is very clever (and reminds me of Durrell's The Alexandria Quartet) and I hope we'll see other writers pick it up. On the other hand, the writing and characterizations do not gel. I don't think the problem has to do with the unattractive personalities of narrators 2 and 3, but with the juggling of the very complicated plot and the culturally-distant nature of the narrators. So a mixed reportcard. But at least it was better than the "Name of the Rose." Also, readers should not approach it thinking it is "serious" fiction. It is an intellectually-challenging period mystery.
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