The Woman Who Escaped from Shame: A Novel - Hardcover

Olson, Toby

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0394547152 ISBN 13: 9780394547152

Publisher: Random House, 1986

Synopsis

Paul Cords, an American salesman in Mexico rescues a miniature horse from pornographers, falls in love with a prostitute, and discovers a strange code that gives him clues about the truth of his past

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Three ex-sailors take three bordello girls to Tijuana, and begin telling stories. Within this framework emerges the bizarre adventure of Paul Cords, who falls deeply in love with Mary Grace, a gentle prostitute. When Paul happens on a clutch of sadistic porn filmmakers exploiting a pair of rare miniature horses in their act, he saves and heals the injured mare. Paul, Mary Grace and the little horsethe most beguiling and mysterious of creaturesthen embark on an idyll that is brutally interrupted when the horses's tormentors find the three. Olson's many-layered narrative continually shades off into legend about the origins and significance of the diminutive equine breed. As tales within tales unfold, there is a haunting abundance of mirroring and deja vu. At last the horse guides Paul to a stunning array of revelations about his identity. Olson has published 14 books of poetry; his third novel, Seaview, won a PEN/Faulkner award. This unusual and engrossing work creates its air of wonder with brilliance and control.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

This beautifully crafted work by an award-winning novelist and poet explores the meaning of storytelling in a narrative of shifting memories, desires, dreams, and perceptions. A medical supply salesman calls at a Mexican ranch, where he discovers a pornography ring and a pair of mysterious miniature horses. His attempt to rescue one of the animals from mistreatment sends him on the run. In the course of his bloody, bewildering adventures, he encounters a fantastic assortment of friends and enemies with strange connections to his past and finally experiences an epiphany of sorts in a deserted marble pit. Or perhaps his tale is merely part of a story being told by a sickly youth in another time and place. Or it is all myth? Rich prose for contemplation by mature readers. Starr E. Smith, Georgetown Univ. Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0394547152
• ISBN 13: 9780394547152
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 324