The Victoria System

Sam Taylor

ISBN 10: 0241145597 / ISBN 13: 9780241145593

Published by Michael Joseph, 2013

About this Item

Leichte Gebrauchsspuren. A story of sex, capitalism, power, and deception unfolds through an erotic obsession set in Paris. This novel, the author's first translated into English, was longlisted for the Impac Dublin Literary Award and shortlisted for several prestigious prizes, including the Prix Renaudot and the Prix Goncourt. David Kolski is managing the construction of Paris's largest tower, a demanding role that distances him from his family. By chance, he meets Victoria de Winter, a ruthless high-flyer who introduces him to a life of luxury and desire. As they explore their identities and aspirations together, David becomes more driven at work and feels more complete. However, he grapples with doubts about the dark, amoral world Victoria represents. Can he trust her, or even his own perceptions, as the pressure mounts? The narrative raises questions about trust and reality, leaving readers to ponder David's reliability. Critics praise the novel as erotic, raw, and complex, challenging the stereotype of French writers as self-indulgent. The author, Eric Reinhardt, born in 1965, has written four novels and is a freelance publisher of art books. The English-language translation is by Sam Taylor, known for his work on HHhH.

Seller Inventory # fa337d90-22fa-41d7-9507-16d3bf8c499e

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Victoria System
• Publisher: Michael Joseph
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241145597
• ISBN 13: 9780241145593
• Binding: Softcover
• Condition: Fine

About this title

Synopsis

The Victoria System is Eric Reinhardt's novel of sex, power, capitalism and deception. LONGLISTED FOR THE IMPAC DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD. SHORTLISTED FOR THE PRIX RENAUDOT, THE PRIX GONCOURT AND THE GRAND PRIX DU ROMAN DE L'ACADEMIE FRANCAISE David Kolski is overseeing the construction of the largest tower in Paris. A highly stressful job with numerous complications, it keeps him from his wife and children. Then, by chance, he encounters Victoria de Winter. Victoria is a ruthless high-flyer who knows what she wants and always gets it. She shows David a luxurious life of decadence and desire, and together they explore the limits of who they are and what they want. At the same time, David finds he is more driven at work. He seems to be a better, more complete man. Yet he has doubts. What kind of dark, a-moral world is Victoria leading him into? Can he really trust her? Can he even trust his own perceptions any more - or is the intense pressure turning him paranoid? And should you, the reader, trust his account? 'Erotic, raw, violent and vertiginous . . . We often accuse French writers of navel-gazing and ignoring the world around them, but Eric Reinhardt is one of those who gives the lie to this cliché' Emmanuel Carrère, author of Limonov 'Bold, arresting, accomplished, complex, sensual, sexual, intriguing, heady' Le Monde 'An ambitious and tragic novel which weaves together sex, power games and imagination. An ultracontemporary anti-fairy tale' Les Inrocktibles 'Finally, a sexy book by someone who appears to have had sex' Dazed and Confused Born in 1965, Eric Reinhardt is the is the author of four previous novels and a freelance publisher of art books. He lives and works in Paris. The Victoria System is his first novel to be translated into English. Sam Taylor is the English-language translator of HHhH, by Laurent Binet. He lives in France and the United States.

About the Author

Born in 1965, Eric Reinhardt is the is the author of four previous novels and a freelance publisher of art books. He lives and works in Paris. The Victoria System is his first novel to be translated into English. Sam Taylor is the English-language translator of HHhH, by Laurent Binet. He lives in France and the United States.