Selected for its cultural significance, this work is recognized by scholars as a vital component of our civilization's knowledge base. It offers insights that contribute to understanding historical and societal contexts, making it an important resource for both academic study and general interest.
The book argues for a reevaluation of eighteenth-century English literature, challenging the prevailing Whig interpretation that has led to its denigration. It proposes an alternative perspective that highlights the unique qualities and achievements of this literary period, suggesting that such an approach is both possible and beneficial. Originally published in 1986, it aims to reshape the understanding of this era's contributions to literature.
I felt always that the crumbling paper must hold something that was more like speaking flesh and blood . . . that somewhere amid these shreds . . . I would learn something of this family lost to silence; something about a house that was quickly abandoned and a family divided, and then all gates shut on the past.A young Australian man arrives in riot-ravaged Paris, armed with an old manuscript written in French and an obsessive desire to piece together the fragments of a mystery that has haunted him since childhood. His journey takes him back and forth in time, over the ruins of desert and city, and through the veils and mirages of history and memory. From Paris to the desolate, windswept Australian desert to the appalling dank prisons of 19th Century New Caledonia, Deception tells an epic story of a search for truth, spanning continents and generations.
Set in modern-day Toorak, this novel intertwines the past and present as Marcus Clarke, a deceased English author, becomes embroiled in a contemporary murder mystery. The story explores themes of literature, creativity, and the connections between different eras, offering a blend of humor and intrigue. Clarke's unexpected involvement raises questions about legacy and the impact of storytelling, making for a thought-provoking narrative that challenges perceptions of time and authorship.