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Light Over Liskeard

A journey of self-discovery and connection in Cornwall

Louis de Bernières author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:3rd Oct '24

Should be back in stock very soon

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Light Over Liskeard cover

A quest for simplicity leads Q to a Cornish farmhouse, where he discovers love, friendship, and a new way of life in Light Over Liskeard.

In Light Over Liskeard, the protagonist Q seeks a simpler life amidst the chaos of modern civilization. Working as a quantum cryptographer for the government, he senses an impending crisis and yearns for a safe haven where he can escape the complexities of urban life. His journey leads him to a dilapidated farmhouse in Cornwall, where he embarks on a quest to create a self-sufficient lifestyle that aligns with his values and aspirations.

As Q settles into his new surroundings, he encounters a colorful cast of characters who inhabit the nearby moors. From a park ranger overseeing the reintroduction of lynxes and aurochs to a holy man awaiting a divine event, each individual adds a layer of richness to his experience. Among them are also the charming ghost of an Edwardian woman and an Arthurian knight, who together weave a tapestry of history and myth that challenges Q’s understanding of reality and connection.

Amidst the backdrop of a changing world, Q's new life allows him to reconnect with his teenage children and ex-wife, fostering relationships that had once been strained. He also finds companionship in Eva, a spirited woman on her own journey for love and purpose. Through humor and poignant moments, Light Over Liskeard invites readers to reflect on what truly matters in life, urging us to embrace the adventure of living fully and authentically.

Beguiling...Set in a jollier dystopia than the norm, it tells the tale of “Q”, a cryptographer who takes refuge from the madding crowd in Cornwall * Observer *
Marked by de Bernieres’ customary light touch and wry humour...This quirky novel is timely... a feelgood story about friendship and love – vintage de Bernieres. * Daily Mirror *
A knockabout satire with twists aplenty * Mail on Sunday *
A wonder worthy of Wyndham...wry, wise * Daily Mail *
Heaps of old-fashioned adventure * The Times *
De Bernieres is a singular, cherishable voice * Mail on Sunday *
The future might look bleak, but Bernière’s dystopia is replete with obscure charm, endearing personalities and flights of fantasy * SAGA, Book of the Month *
de Bernières has an undeniable talent for creating an achingly romantic affair from what may appear to be a mundane midlife crisis * Independent *
In a career that began with a magic realism-inspired Latin American trilogy, took off with the historical romance Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and has gone down such byways as Red Dog, a rather heartwarming tale of an Australian sheepdog, and Notwithstanding, a collection of determinedly eccentric stories of English village life, De Bernières has shown himself to be full of surprises, conjuring narratives of considerable charm and impressive sweep. * Guardian *
Funny, clever, and optimistic,Light Over Liskeard asks us to consider what really matters in life * Church Times *

ISBN: 9781529920611

Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 18mm

Weight: 218g

304 pages