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The Dancer Upstairs

By Nicholas Shakespeare
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3.94 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 683 ratings, 69 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Dancer Upstairs weaves a gripping narrative set in a South American country on the brink of revolution. It follows a determined police detective as he pursues the elusive leader of a violent insurgency, navigating a web of political turmoil and personal dilemmas. The atmospheric story is both a thriller and an exploration of moral complexities.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to stories that blend political intrigue with a gripping love story set against the backdrop of a tense South American country. The narrative weaves a suspenseful exploration of a detective's pursuit of a revolutionary leader, revealing themes of morality and passion amidst turmoil.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Javier Bardem and directed by John Malkovich, "The Dancer Upstairs" is a gripping suspense novel based on the search for the leader of Peru's notorious guerrilla organization, the Shining Path.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

For readers of William Boyd and John le Carré, an exhilarating literary thriller about the hunt for a missing terrorist in South America.

From the acclaimed author of The Sandpit, an exhilarating literary thriller about the hunt for a missing terrorist in South America.

Out of a job but in search of one last scoop from South America, journalist John Dyer strikes gold when he chances upon Agustin Rejas, a former police colonel whose dogged pursuit—and eventual capture—of the murderous guerrilla leader Ezequiel made him a national hero.

Over many nights, Rejas recounts his story of the years-long manhunt. So too emerges the tale of his own poor upbringing, his turbulent marriage, and the passion he once felt for Yolanda, his daughter's ballet teacher—an all-consuming obsession that would ultimately lead him straight to the elusive Ezequiel...

'Astoundingly good... Demands you put your life on hold until it is finished' Guardian

'A genuinely fine novel from a writer who possesses real heart and flair' Louis de Bernières, Sunday Times

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Dancer Upstairs by Nicholas Shakespeare has been praised for its compelling narrative that demands attention, as noted by the Guardian. The Sunday Times highlights the novel's exploration of significant themes such as love, politics, and moral complexities, appealing to a wide range of readers. The New Statesman appreciates it as both a rich romantic tale and a perceptive examination of South American realities, while The Times admires its combination of storytelling and journalistic insight. The Evening Standard draws comparisons to Graham Greene and Gabriel García Márquez, emphasising the novel's engaging and energetic narrative.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529114850

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 July 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 290g

Pages: 416

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Nicholas Shakespeare Penguin Books Spy & Espionage Thriller

About the Author

Nicholas Shakespeare was born in 1957. The son of a diplomat, much of his youth was spent in the Far East and South America. His books have been translated into twenty-two languages. They include The Vision of Elena Silves (winner of the Somerset Maugham Award), Snowleg, The Dancer Upstairs, Inheritance, Priscilla and Six Minutes in May. He has been longlisted for the Booker Prize twice and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

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