Items related to Syme Papers
Synopsis
Douglas Pitt is a man obsessed. Laughed at, mocked, and dismissed at every turn, Pitt has spent the best part of an unremarkable academic career attempting to prove the genius of Samuel Highgate Syme (b. 1794, Baltimore; soldier, geologist, inventor). Pitt's postulation is simple enough: that Syme, through some fault, wrong-doing, conspiracy or mischance, has not been credited with the recognition he deserves for hitting upon a key discovery in the advance of modern science - the theory of continental drift.
Lacking the crucial last piece of the puzzle to convince his peers and normalize his family life, Pitt finally stumbles into the good fortune he hopes will make his name: he uncovers a contemporary manuscript written by a fledgling German scientist, Friedrich Muller, which recounts a year (1826) in the company of the irrepressible Syme.
Switching between these beguiling and colourful narratives, The Syme Papers takes the reader on an odyssey into the heart of Maryland and Virginia in the 1820s by way of London and Texas today. An epic stew of intellectual procrastination, early nineteenth-century picaresque and late twentieth-century angst, it is a novel of genius and failure; of a man who thought he could prove the world was hollow, and in the glorious process of discovery, broke his own heart.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Benjamin Markovits is twenty-nine, and The Syme Papers is his first novel. Originally from Texas, he now lives in London and writes for the London Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement.
Review
"'Practically every sentence elicits a gasp of surprise or pleasure... there is truth and beauty here and a lovely story of loneliness and obsession.' Daily Telegraph; 'A remarkable first novel... This original, ambitious book demands full concentration - and deserves it.' Sunday Telegraph; 'The bastard son of Philip Roth and A. S. Byatt.' New Statesman; 'A formidable achievement and truly a book to get lost in.' Daily Mail"
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherFaber & Faber
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 0571217907
- ISBN 13 9780571217908
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages495
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 26.76
Shipping:
US$ 13.32
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Syme Papers
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR004202263
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Syme Papers
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. The Syme Papers This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780571217908
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Syme Papers
Seller: Roundabout Books, Greenfield, MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: Near Fine. Excellent, unmarked copy with little wear and tight binding. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders. 0.68. Seller Inventory # 1581474
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Syme Papers
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780571217908
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Syme Papers
Seller: Bestsellersuk, Hereford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Creased Cover. Slight marks to edge of pages. No.1 BESTSELLERS - great prices, friendly customer service â" all orders are dispatched next working day. Seller Inventory # mon0000873560
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Syme papers
Published by
Faber & Faber, London, 2004
ISBN 10: 0571217907
ISBN 13: 9780571217908
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Cotswold Internet Books, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
1st ed. A clean, as-new copy. Used - Very Good. VG paperback in VG dust jacket. Seller Inventory # BOOKS101899I
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Syme Papers
Published by
Faber & Faber, 2004
ISBN 10: 0571217907
ISBN 13: 9780571217908
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Mungobooks, Poole, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Included. 1st Edition. 1st edition, 1st printing paperback original in unclipped jacket. Both book and jacket in fine condition with no inscriptions, no reading creases to spine of book, some shelf soiling to bottom of text block. Not a book club edition, ex library or a remainder. Please request a scan if required. Seller Inventory # ABE-1520154993297
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Syme Papers - SIGNED
Published by
Faber & Faber, 2004
ISBN 10: 0571217907
ISBN 13: 9780571217908
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Signed
Seller: Mungobooks, Poole, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. 1st edition, 1st printing paperback original in unclipped dustjacket, no hardcover issued by the publisher. SIGNED by the author on the title page with no other inscriptions. Book and dustjacket both in fine condition. Not a book club edition, ex library or a remainder. I am happy to supply scans. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # ABE-14662388674
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Syme Papers
Seller: Jason Books, Auckland, AUCKL, New Zealand
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback with dust jacket. April 2004. Douglas Pitt is a man obsessed. Laughed at, mocked, and dismissed at every turn, Pitt has dedicated the best part of an unremarkable academic career attempting to prove the genius of Samuel Highgate Syme (b.1794, Baltimore; soldier, geologist, inventor). Pitt's postulation is simple enough: Syme, through some fault, wrong-doing, conspiracy or mischance, has not been credited with the recognition he deserves for hitting upon a key discovery in the advance of modern science - the theory of continental drift.Lacking the crucial last piece of the puzzle to convince his peers and normalize his family life, Pitt's emotional equilibrium is stabilised in a magical stroke of fortune when he uncovers a contemporary manuscript written by a fledgling German scientist, Friedrich Muller, which recounts a year (1821) in the company of the irrepressible Syme.Switching between these beguiling and colourful narratives, The Syme Papers takes the reader on an odyssey into the heart of Maryland and Virginia in the 1820s by way of London and Texas today. An epic stew of intellectual procrastination, early nineteenth-century picaresque and late twentieth-century angst, it is a novel of genius and failure; of a man who thought he could prove the world was hollow, and in the glorious process of discovery, broke his own heart. Teeming with comic detail and fierce intelligence, The Syme Papers recreates a time when to question the world and the origins of creation was the greatest project a scientist could undertake. Seller Inventory # 20351354
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Syme Papers
Published by
Faber and Faber, 2004
ISBN 10: 0571217907
ISBN 13: 9780571217908
New
Soft cover
First Edition
Seller: Strawberry Hill Books, Rotherfield, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Type: Book first printing, an unread book. Seller Inventory # 012216
Quantity: 1 available