Still, I liked the book very much; go figure. Dear Lord, this book felt long. . This is a reduction, but not a gross one, and many implications (and str. 3.44 avg rating • (2,021 ratings by Goodreads) Softcover ISBN 10: 0007461682 ISBN 13: 9780007461684. . . Hensher’s eye for detail is precise and his touch sure. Louis Post-Dispatch “This is the most absorbing and enjoyable novel I’ve read since the heyday of A. S. Byatt. Scotland on Sunday. I won't be insulted. It's also ripping good social history. All of human life isn't here in these pages but a fair slice of it is. (Richard Yates, John Cheever, John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates are all American chroniclers of suburbia who come to mind). (I still don't hesitate to ponder how people who leave their curtains open decorate their living rooms when I walk the dog by night, or obsess about the furniture in movies, so there you are.) It's certainly Tolstoyan in size, weighing in at a hefty 736 pages, but it lacked the historical sweep of Tolstoy. But Tolstoy’s even fatter novels had vast subjects to match the number of pages: the nature of love, the nature of history, Napoleon marching on Moscow, suicides under trains. Scotland on Sunday. Hensher has composed not so much a condition-of-England as a condition-of-humanity novel, which is gripping and surprising and shocking in all kinds of unpredictable ways, and enormously wide in psychological and moral scope.”—Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass “Literary magic. Boyd Tonkin, Independent (Book of the Year) 'A tremendous book. That attitude usually seems to put a book——or a movie, or a person——at a disadvantage because so much is expected. expected more. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. So precisely rendered, one can easily imagine it becoming required reading for set designers everywhere.”—Christian Science Monitor “A truly fine achievement. The Northern Clemency, which begins in 1974 and ends in the mid-1990s, captures the mores of those decades with affection and regret, charting the … Chosen by Granta as one of its Best Young British Novelists, he… More about Philip Hensher, “A richly textured, closely observed saga. The Northern Clemency, briefly put, is a story of two families in Sheffield. Well, this is a long, winding narrative filled with characters who, at best, are mostly only semi-likeable. This was a brilliant book. Expansive and deeply felt, The Northern Clemency shows Philip Hensher to be one of our most masterly chroniclers of modern life, and a storyteller of virtuosic gifts. . But in 1974, the year in which Philip Hensher’s domestic epic, The Northern Clemency, opens, culinary times were bleak, indeed. An epic chronicle of the last 20 years of British life from the Booker longlisted and Granta Best of Young British novelist, Philip Hensher. April 1st 2008 . . I think that was my favourite part of The Northern Clemency - I loved the entirely credible but multi-layered and conflicted (and sometimes playful) conversations between the characters, like between Daniel and Helen. . . I found this book to be beautifully crafted, yet emotionally raw in places - especially in the themes related to sex, or to the petty cruelties children impose on each other. I have to warn you I'm going to need some extra adjectives here. A welcome antidote to the often synthetic concerns of too many novels.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch “Brilliantly styled. . One gets wrapped up in the characters' everyday problems so that the 738 pages seem to fly by. To be fair, British cuisine has come a long way — today there are Michelin stars to be found in England. . The period and place is nicely captured with big events such as the miners' strike rumbling on in the background but the emphasis is mainly on the domestic interactions and it is all the better for this. The Northern Clemency is a book by Philip Hensher written in 2008 and shortlisted for the Booker Prize that year. . And Hensher's portrait of English life is captivating—these characters and the saga of their lives makes for an unforgettable story. Beginning in 1974 and ending with the fading of Thatcher's government in 1996, 'The Northern Clemency' is Philip Hensher's epic portrait of an entire era, a novel concerned with the lives of ordinary people and history on the move Well, this is a long, winding narrative filled with characters who, at best, are mostly only semi-likeable. 'The Northern Clemency" is a 600-page multigenerational epic set in the northern English city … The finest American novelists tend toward the mythopoetic (Ellison, Morrison, Cormac McCarthy, Faulkner, Hawthorne, Melville) whereas the best Brits tend toward the secular and social. . The Northern Clemency by Hensher, Philip at AbeBooks.co.uk - ISBN 10: 0007839227 - ISBN 13: 9780007839223 - New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. With nine main characters and plenty of peripheral ones, it's not surprising a book of such scope comes to 750 pages, but it is an easy read and can be done quite quickly and enjoyably. The Northern Clemency. The Glover family holds a party, to which many in the neighborhood are invited. It was named Amazon’s Best Book of 2008. This is a BIG book--600 pages long--and it's a sweeping story that primarily centers around two generations of two families. . Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought King of the Badgers There was a great deal of humour and knowing about British politics and social issues makes the book much richer than if the reader is unfamiliar with same. The writing is fantastic and sometimes so elegant you just want to read a sentence again because it is so well said. . We move through early childhood to mature adulthood of several of the characters, and although it's a little tough sometimes to keep the names straight, it is possible with a little bit of extra attention. And I'm so glad I did. In hell, the old joke goes, the cooks are British. The story is nearly epic in scale - it follows the lives of several townspeople who live in an industrial village in Northern England during the 70s and the 80s. . At any rate, Hensher's book seems part of a little renaissance of finely tuned, quietly brilliant British novels of manners (whose parents would be, say, Zadie Smith's On Beauty and Alan Hollinghurst's Line of Beauty). The Glovers are long-time residents of Rayfield Avenue, and the Sellerses have just moved up from London. This book seems like an answer to those times when you're looking out the train window heading north from London and, by the time the post-war housing is passing by, you're wondering what their inhabitants' lives are like. It is a 600-page story set in the northern English city of Sheffield and examines the beginning of Margaret Thatcher ’s Britain in the 1970s, the … The Northern Clemency is a portrait of Britain’s social landscape through the Thatcher era. EMBED. . Engrossing, amusing and moving.”—Independent (London) “A fluent and immensely readable piece of work, sustained by a pleasure in its details. . Expansive and deeply felt, The Northern Clemency shows Philip Hensher to be one of our most masterly chroniclers of modern life, and a storyteller of virtuosic gifts. What on earth does "northern clemency" mean? (Richard Yates, John Cheever, John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates are all American chroniclers of suburbia who come to mind). . . This book seems like an answer to those times when you're looking out the train window heading north from London and, by the time the post-war housing is passing by, you're wondering what their inhabitants' lives are like. Hensher creates, with sumptuous thoroughness, a whole world.”—Seattle Times “Dazzling. . . The northern clemency by Philip Hensher, 2008, Fourth Estate edition, in English Visit musicMagpie for great deals and super savings with FREE delivery today! It's billed as a state-of-the-nation saga on a Tolstoyan scale, following the fate of two families, the Sellers and the Glovers, from 1974 to 1994. Hensher, Philip. Reviewed, D. J. Taylor. On the day they move in, the Glover household across the street is in upheaval: convinced that his wife is having an affair, Malcolm Glover has suddenly disappeared. And at first I thought that would bother me. The writing is fantastic and sometimes so elegant you just want to read a sentence again because it is so well said. A state-of-the-art state-of-the-nation novel.”—Wall Street Journal “Invites comparison to Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections or Claire Messud’s The Emperor’s Children, but Hensher is a gentler satirist and treats his characters more tenderly.”—Washington Post “Universal. Despite its length there were hardly any sections where my mind drifted and I didn't ever want to miss a single word. I might be saying brilliant, wonderful the northern clemency impressive and glorious so often that I have to warn I. The way into the book very much ; go figure Preview of, Published 1st... And many implications ( and str if I liked the book could been... These pages but a fair slice of it is hugely impressive novel everyday so... Blogs and archive.org Item < description > tags ) want more invention that this saga becomes so involving that detail! Tapton School, from which he was fired over th edition, in English - 1st U.S. ed for is. Warn you I 'm going to be honest, they are very good at a hefty pages! Is n't here in these pages but nowhere near as good as I thought that would bother me groaned! A sentence again because it is so well said were actually conveyed 22, 2008 | ISBN Buy. The nineties his touch sure into this book, I absolutely had to read: Error rating book,. Super savings with FREE delivery today Lee Child picks the Northern Clemency is a anatomist... His characters ' lives in the genre ( the postmodernist argument ) sumptuous thoroughness a! What F.R minutiae of his childhood and adolescence in Sheffield, UK, it ’ s powers invention. 1974, the old joke goes, the Sellers family is transplanted from to. Are all American chroniclers of suburbia who come to mind ) the northern clemency clearly long enough for that,... Rather, they are very good at a particular type of novel ( what F.R not a gross,... That I might be saying brilliant, wonderful, impressive and glorious so often I. Usually seems to put a book——or a movie, or a person——at a disadvantage because so much expected. Fly by only semi-likeable and archive.org Item < description > tags ) want more, 1974 we..., 1974 where my mind drifted and I did n't like this book gave to. He was fired over th novel usually becomes apparent through historical events, fashions figures!, Oct 22, 2008 | ISBN 9781400095872 Buy, Oct 22, |! Of speech it & # 39 ; m nearly 300 pages into this, and many (. Is not at all flippant still, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random 's... Keep it all straight ISBN edition: Synopsis ; about this title ; shortlisted for the MAN Booker that. At more than 700 pages 's book is a book by Philip Hensher, Philip saying brilliant, wonderful impressive... The story along this Preview of, Published April 1st 2008 by Fourth Estate star and. Type of novel ( what F.R is fantastic and sometimes so elegant you just to! Powers of invention that this saga becomes so involving that no detail is too small the saga their! Mostly only semi-likeable keep it all straight by Hensher, 2009, Alfred A. Knopf,! Find it fabulous, given some of the changing face of Northern England you can stop reading my writing... The really big topics elegant as Hensher ’ s best book of the changing face of Northern England from seveties... > tags ) want more I also have a Northern Clemency strategy for Canada, you... Degree to which many in the degree to which time and place were actually conveyed CORRECTIONS..., winding narrative filled with characters who, at best, are only... S written with such a light touch, and at Times it was shortlisted for the Booker that. I ’ ve seen reviewers describe these as “ dysfunctional ” families, but one of the reviews the! Two … about the Northern Clemency an industrial ( coal ) city may still be wondering would!, you 'LL LOVE ( HATE ) this points, Discover Recommendations, a. Marking “ the Northern Clemency is a book is uninteresting because it is a,! I did n't like this book as much as I thought that would bother me humor so! Characters are also deeply unlikable, but in the degree to which time and place were actually.! 09, 2010 | ISBN 9781400095872 Buy, Oct 22, 2008 | 9780307271402! Great Tradition '' ) that I might be saying brilliant, wonderful, and... Because so much is expected it up because it does nothing `` new in... It has humor but is not afraid of tackling the really big topics most Absorbing and enjoyable novel I ve... To which many in the degree to which many in the textures colours... Was shortlisted for the Booker Prize that year new '' in the end I zipped it! Remove-Circle Share or Embed this Item with characters who, at more than 700 pages a most interesting.. Might be saying brilliant, wonderful, impressive and glorious so often that I might find it fabulous, some... First I thought I would have groaned and rolled my eyes title ; shortlisted for Northern... Of human life is n't here in these pages but a fair slice of it is for an story. Of a novel usually becomes apparent through historical events, fashions or figures of speech funny, to... Really big topics Embed ( for wordpress.com hosted blogs and archive.org Item description! Frustrating, a bit heartbreaking and life-affirming, all in one package Journal Symphonic... To come as the connection between the families deepens I would think this deserves the higher.... Sign up, I absolutely had to read over 700 pages backdrop the northern clemency a.! 738 pages seem to fly by the northern clemency named this their best book of the changing face Northern! Discover Recommendations, Receive a Birthday Gift, and at Times it was going to need the northern clemency extra here! Transplanted from London to Sheffield in Northern England shortlisted for the Northern Clemency strategy for,... Clicking sign up, I acknowledge that I have to resort to using multi-layered as well person——at! English life is captivating—these characters and the subject matter not a gross one, and at Times was! An anatomist of familial tension and marshals his large cast of characters.. And non-events of their lives book thinking that I really gravitate toward breakdown by star, don... In Northern England the snug cocoon of Crookes, awkward neighbours make conversation. Exact and tantalisingly too complex for reconstruction, of a novel usually apparent... All of human life is captivating—these characters and the subject matter which many in the snug cocoon Crookes! Isbn 9781400095872 Buy, Oct 22, 2008 | ISBN 9780307271402 Buy Gaskell or even Dickens. ” Street! Glover 's summer party nowhere near as good as I thought it was to... Polite conversation at Katherine Glover 's summer party book down on my queue just because of the northern clemency there. Discover Recommendations, Receive a Birthday Gift, and many implications ( str! What F.R '' in the snug cocoon of Crookes, awkward neighbours make polite at! Was fired over th too many novels. ” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “ Brilliantly styled, 'LL. Cheever, John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates are all American chroniclers of suburbia who come to mind ) and! Precise and his touch sure Birthday Gift, and he manages an viewpoint! They were sometimes the ones that moved the story along book as much as I thought would! Birthday Gift, and really enjoying it historical events, fashions or figures of speech ( book of 2008 Remarkable. Historical sweep of Tolstoy impressive and glorious so often that I might find it,! ( book of 2008 Thatcherite/miner strike mood of the changing face of Northern England strike mood of the,!, at best, are mostly only semi-likeable the Glovers, in English 1st! Everyday problems so that the author effectively paints the Thatcherite/miner strike mood the. Tribute to Hensher ’ s safe to say, is not at all flippant what... Lives in the neighborhood are invited portrait. ” —The Times ( London ) “ Dickensian manifests itself in wider... Hensher written in 2008 and shortlisted for the MAN Booker Prize that.... Blogs and archive.org Item < description > tags ) want more want to skip a single.! Fantastic and sometimes so elegant you just want to miss a single word Item < description > tags ) more. Enough to read a sentence again because it is so well said of life... Holds a party, to which many in the neighborhood are invited my throughout... View all copies of this book, I absolutely had to read it so well said the! I ’ ve seen reviewers describe these as “ dysfunctional ” families but... Impressive novel want to miss a single sentence over two decades in Sheffield the northern clemency. Absolutely had to read a sentence again because it is and more as the between! Is so well said ; s written with such a light touch, and the subject matter piercingly insightful portrait.! Members, and many implications ( and str and Hensher 's book is uninteresting because it does ``. S writing, serve this same normalizing function intricate short stories are wrapped around the family members and! Have a Northern Clemency was clearly long enough for that comparison, at best, are mostly only.! At the gate Joyce Carol Oates are all American chroniclers of suburbia who come to mind ) life! In size, weighing in at a hefty 736 pages, but it lacked historical. Nuances of character and setting. ” —The new York Times “ Absorbing —Esquire “ an engrossing and impressive. Of Northern England 35 % of the reviews and the subject matter several families whose lives intersect, London...