Conjuror's Bird, The

Conjuror's Bird, The
Martin Davies
RRP:
NZ$ 31.99
Our Price:
NZ$ 25.59
Paperback
h197 x 127mm - 320pg
21 Sep 2006 UK
International import eta 7-19 days
9780340896181
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
The modern story concerns Fitz, a brilliant zoologist who has never fulfilled his potential, never written the great book about extinct species, despite being the leading expert in the field. Suddenly, his beautiful ex-wife turns up in his life, trying to enlist his help in searching for The Mysterious Bird of Ulieta ' the only known specimen of a vanished species owned by the great naturalist Joseph Banks, but lost after his death. (this is fact.) Fitz knows enough about the world to realise their story about lost DNA is highly unlikely ' but not enough to guess what is really going on. When his flat is ransacked, he decides to find the bird himself, with the help of his lodger, Katya. The period drama concerns the life of a brilliant and mysterious amateur botanist and painter, shattered by the harsh circumstances of late 18th century moralities, but who is rescued by the love of Banks. Ultimately, though, can'the aristocratic Banks be brave enough to live as her equal? And can she ever make a life that's not spent in the'shadow of a married man? As Fitz joins the hunt for the lost bird ' a hunt which depends upon discovering the identity of this extraordinary woman ' his own tragic but ultimately hopeful voyage of self-discovery twines around her passionate, haunting love-story.
'A highly readable page-turner' -- Guardian 20061007 'A pacy confection of history, mystery and romance... a most engaging and unusual novel' -- The Times 20061007 'An enjoyable tale of love, loss and taxidermy ... a cracking holiday read.' -- Observer 20060129 'Two gripping, intercut narratives... a lyricism that captures the joy of the natural world... a highly successful and informative entertainment' -- Independent 20060129 'An absorbing historical detective story ... a beautifully evoked narrative from the past' -- Guardian 20060129 'Ambitious and intriguing... part thriller, part love story, part quest, this is a hugely readable book.' -- Spectator 20060129 'Ideal for book clubs, ideal too for any lover of commercial literary fiction. An exciting and absorbing debut novel from Davies.' -- Publishing News 20060129 'Poignant and beguiling... like all the best novels, it left me with a sense of having learned something.' -- Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy 20060129 "[A] gripping book of literary suspense... Davies indulges in clever speculation about the bird's whereabouts and adds an appealing strain of romance surrounding the identity of Banks's mistress... A captivating novel." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) 20060129 "Suspenseful, intriguing, and romantic, this is great entertainment and an excellent choice for book discussion groups; highly recommended." -- Library Journal (starred review) 20060129 "A gripping blend of history and conjecture, romance and detection...it consists of two parallel stories wrapped around the race to unravel one of natural history's most enduring puzzles. [An] elegantly crafted journey into the nature of loss and love, memory and history." -- Canberra Times 20060129 "This book I loved on so many levels. Firstly for a greater understanding of the life of Sir Joseph Banks!then for the excitement of a great mystery! A truly fantastic book full of three centuries of secrets and surprises." -- Manly Daily 20060129 'This book haunts me: I was moved, intrigued and entertained and, with each page turned, I wanted, very much, to know what was going to happen. Economically and beautifully drawn, the enigmatic delicacy of the characters and the way the stories of the past and the present intersect so teasingly, so elegantly, makes THE CONJUROR'S BIRD a deeply satisfying novel. And, best of all, the layers of the story take one deeper and deeper into the worlds of the past and the present until, in the end, there seems nothing more to discover in the lives of these characters; yet I wanted more. I heartily recommend this book!' -- Posie Graeme-Evans, author of THE INNOCENT and THE 20050228 'An entertaining read' -- New Books Magazine 20060601
Martin Davies grew up in North West England. He has travelled widely, including in the Middle East and India, and his plan for THE CONJUROR'S BIRD was put together on a trekking holiday in Greenland. He lives in South West London and works as a producer for an international media company.
Status: Indent title, imported to order
ISBN-13: 9780340896181
Published: 21 Sep 2006
Published In: United Kingdom
Imprint: Hodder Paperback
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Format: Paperback
Height: 197mm
Width: 127mm
Pages: 320
Dewey: 823.92

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