Items related to The Temporary Gentleman
The novel follows Irishman Jack McNulty during his commission in the Second World War, a position which renders him a temporary gentleman. Opening the story on the Mediterranean, McNulty is caught up in a torpedo attack - a story that, as we are told in Barry's introduction, was based on the true experience of the author's grandfather. See below for an extract:So for a moment of odd calm I stood there, one leg bare to the world, my cap still in place inexplicably, my self drenched so thoroughly I thought myself to be one hundred per cent seawater. An iron ladder full of men, from God knows where, maybe even from inside the ship, or from the side of the command deck more likely, with about a dozen calling and screaming persons clinging to it like forest monkeys, moved past me as if it were a trolley being wielded by the demon of this attack, and crossed the ravaged deck, and pitched down into the moiling, dark sea behind. Everything roared for that moment, the high night sky of blankening stars, the great and immaculate silver serving-dish of the sea itself, the rended ship, the offended and ruined men - and then, precipatively, a silence reigned, the shortest reign of any silence in the empires of silence, the whole vista, the far-off coast, the deck, the sea, was as still for a moment as a painting, as if someone has just painted it all in his studio, and was gazing at it, contemplating it, reaching out to put a finishing touch on it, of smoke, of fire, of blood, of water, and then I felt the whole ship leave me, sink under my boots so suddenly that there was for that second a gap between me and it, so that wasn't I like an angel, a winged man suspended.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
Barry is an artist of the highest order. (Claire Kilroy Guardian, Book of the Week)
'Both fascinating and moving, The Temporary Gentleman shows Sebastian Barry to be one of our finest novelists - daring, accommodating and humane.' (John Banville)
Told in Barry's flawless prose, it's a book that leaves the reader bruised long after the final page has been, regretfully, turned. (John Harding Daily Mail)
Engrossing ... memorable ... a notable addition to Barry's ongoing chronicle of lives hitherto untold. (John Boland Irish Independent)
Few contemporary novelists are better equipped to unravel a long and complex life with insight and compassion. (Max Davidson Mail on Sunday)
The story sings with strong-pulsed poetry. (Sheena Joughin Sunday Telegraph)
Arguably our greatest living novelist. (Irish Times)
'These lives are re-imagined in language of surpassing beauty.' (New York Times)
'He writes like an angel.' (James Naughtie Sunday Telegraph)
'Barry's greatness isn't just that he's a fine writer and a deeply political writer. His greatness is he does it all simultaneously: he tells a desolating story and demolishes many myths at the same time. Ireland's lucky to have him.' (Carlo Gebler Financial Times)
'A magnificent and heart-rending novel.' (Joseph O'Connor Guardian on The Secret Scripture)
'A bravura performance. Reflecting on Irish history, Irish losses, Irish enmities with singular force, grace and beauty.' (Roy Foster The Times on The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty)
Book Description:
'Both fascinating and moving, The Temporary Gentleman shows Sebastian Barry to be one of our finest novelists - daring, accommodating and humane.' (John Banville)
Told in Barry's flawless prose, it's a book that leaves the reader bruised long after the final page has been, regretfully, turned. (John Harding Daily Mail)
Engrossing ... memorable ... a notable addition to Barry's ongoing chronicle of lives hitherto untold. (John Boland Irish Independent)
Few contemporary novelists are better equipped to unravel a long and complex life with insight and compassion. (Max Davidson Mail on Sunday)
The story sings with strong-pulsed poetry. (Sheena Joughin Sunday Telegraph)
Arguably our greatest living novelist. (Irish Times)
'These lives are re-imagined in language of surpassing beauty.' (New York Times)
'He writes like an angel.' (James Naughtie Sunday Telegraph)
'Barry's greatness isn't just that he's a fine writer and a deeply political writer. His greatness is he does it all simultaneously: he tells a desolating story and demolishes many myths at the same time. Ireland's lucky to have him.' (Carlo Gebler Financial Times)
'A magnificent and heart-rending novel.' (Joseph O'Connor Guardian on The Secret Scripture)
'A bravura performance. Reflecting on Irish history, Irish losses, Irish enmities with singular force, grace and beauty.' (Roy Foster The Times on The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty)
The Temporary Gentleman by Sebastian Barry is a stunning return from the prize-winning and best-selling author of The Secret Scripture.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherEnitharmon Press
- Publication date2013
- ISBN 10 1907587667
- ISBN 13 9781907587665
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages18
(No Available Copies)
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