The Life to Come
A poignant exploration of friendship and personal journeys
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Allen & Unwin
Published:2nd Aug '18
Should be back in stock very soon
This novel intricately explores friendship and personal struggles through the lives of three characters, revealing the complexities of human connection in The Life to Come.
In The Life to Come, Michelle de Kretser presents a sharp satire of contemporary life intertwined with a poignant exploration of friendship. The narrative follows three central characters: Pippa, a writer yearning for recognition; Céleste, who grapples with unrequited love for her married partner; and Ash, who selectively remembers his childhood in Sri Lanka while avoiding the shadows of a past tragedy. Through their intertwined stories, the novel delves into themes of intimacy, loneliness, and the complex perceptions we hold of those around us.
As the characters navigate their personal struggles, the novel paints a vivid picture of life in different locales, from the bustling streets of Sydney to the romantic allure of Paris and the rich backdrop of Sri Lanka. Each setting serves as a catalyst for their journeys, highlighting how geography and culture shape our experiences and relationships. The narrative is both humorous and deeply moving, showcasing de Kretser's ability to blend wit with profound insights into the human condition.
Ultimately, The Life to Come is a reflective meditation on how the past and future influence our present, challenging readers to consider the nuances of their own lives. With its memorable characters and engaging storytelling, the novel resonates with those who have ever grappled with the complexities of connection and the impact of time on our relationships.
Is it possible we already have the year's best novel? I'll be amazed if anything surpasses this compulsive, exquisitely light-footed narrative...glorious. * Daily Mail *
De Kretser's satirical observations - on the literati, self-congratulation, suburban pretension - are so subtly deboning they remind me of Jane Austen's...The Life to Come deserves all the gongs we can bang for it. * The Spectator *
Exhilaratingly good writing...each page yields sparkling sentences and keen observations. * Literary Review *
[de Kretser's] writing captures, with unflagging wit, grace and subtlety, the spiritual as well as physical journeys of people on the move - between cultures, mindsets and stages of growth. -- Boyd Tonkin * Financial Times *
Funny and satirical, this is a biting look at the way we present ourselves and the way we are seen by others. * Stylist *
As always, Michelle de Kretser offers a wide compassionate view...Above all, there is the pleasure of her writing. * Times Literary Supplement *
Very few novels see through our times with such vision and perspicacity, such wit and compassion, and yet this profound book is the farthest thing imaginable from that journalistic demand made of literature, that it should "make sense of our times". It does, but not in any ways that you'd imagine. -- Neel Mukherjee * New Statesman *
Superb, ambitious and deeply moving * The Australian *
For a novel concerned with dislocation, there's a lot of grounding humour ...de Kretser's observations are so spot on, you'll forgive her even as you cringe. * New York Times *
A remarkable achievement...wise and abrasive, witty and poignant. * The Saturday Paper *
Her powers of description and evocation are remarkable...Michelle de Kretser has written a comic lament of disarming force. * Sydney Morning Herald *
My book of the year is Michelle de Kretser's The Life to Come, a sharp and unsettling novel - narcissism of all kinds is skewered here - that is deeply pleasurable to read. * Ceridwen Dovey, The Australian *
A joyful and mournful meditation on the endless small pleasures and complications of life...sure-footed and often surprising. * Publishers Weekly *
- Winner of The Miles Franklin Award 2018 (UK)
ISBN: 9781760296711
Dimensions: 200mm x 130mm x 22mm
Weight: 260g
384 pages
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