A Ladder to the Sky
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 37,097 ratings, 5,362 reviews)Read More
Found a better price? Request a price match
A Ladder to the Sky
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?
A Ladder to the Sky
'A deliciously dark tale of ambition, seduction and literary theft .
Maurice Swift is an aspiring novelist struggling to come up with the story that will make his name, and he doesn't care where that story comes from. Even if he has to beg, borrow, steal or worse, he will make it to the top. Whatever the cost...
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! DescriptionA Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne is a riveting exploration of ambition, deceit, and the lengths one will go to achieve success. Maurice Swift is a young aspiring novelist, haunting the literary scene and searching for the story that will catapult him to fame. However, Maurice's drive to become a celebrated author lacks one crucial element: originality. He is willing to beg, borrow, and steal to craft a narrative that will ensure his place in the literary pantheon, no matter the cost.
The novel begins with Maurice encountering Erich Ackerman, a renowned author, in a Berlin hotel. Erich, vulnerable and lonely, is eager to share his past, a history filled with stories that Maurice soon sees as valuable. Swift's lack of creativity is overshadowed by his relentless determination and acute awareness of the power of a compelling story, regardless of its origin. As he exploits his connection with Ackerman, Maurice's insatiable hunger for fame begins to reveal a darker, more ruthless side.
When Maurice achieves initial success, he quickly realises that literary fame is an unending ladder that requires new material to climb higher. Discarding any scruples, he continues his pursuit by delving into the lives of others, extracting their stories without remorse. Swift’s journey through the literary world is a testament to how far someone will go when driven by the intoxicating allure of success. As he ascends the metaphorical ladder, the stakes grow higher, and the moral compromises become ever more severe, leading to potentially devastating consequences.
This novel is not merely a tale of ambition, but a dark and gripping morality play about the nature of creativity and the often unscrupulous world of literary fame. Boyne masterfully crafts a narrative that is as intriguing as it is unsettling, drawing readers into Maurice’s manipulative machinations and the inevitable fallout of his actions.
"A deliciously dark tale of ambition, seduction and literary theft... an ingeniously conceived novel that confirms Boyne as one of the most assured writers of his generation," writes Hannah Beckerman in the Observer.
A Ladder to the Sky serves as a stark reminder that ambition, like setting a ladder to the sky, can lead to both dizzying heights and perilous falls. Maurice Swift’s story is a chilling reflection of the lengths people will go to for success, and the costs that may come with it.
"Maurice Swift, the novelist protagonist of John Boyne's A Ladder to the Sky, is a bookish version of Patricia Highsmith's psychopathic antihero Tom Ripley," praises The Times.
"A dark morality tale in the mould of Patricia Highsmith... consistently intriguing," states the Daily Mail.
Prepare to be captivated by John Boyne's sinister and thought-provoking novel, where the pursuit of glory overshadows basic humanity, compelling readers to ponder the true price of ambition.
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?
A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne is praised as a deliciously dark and unsettling tale of ambition and seduction. It features Maurice Swift, a memorable and dangerous protagonist, reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley. Reviewers highlight Boyne's mastery in crafting a compelling and powerful narrative, confirming his status as a leading writer.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781784161019
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 07 February 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Black Swan
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 27.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 311g
Pages: 448
Collections
About the Author
John Boyne is the author of fifteen novels for adults, six for younger readers, and a collection of short stories. His 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and has been adapted for cinema, theatre, ballet, and opera. His many international bestsellers include The Heart's Invisible Furies and A Ladder to the Sky. He has won four Irish Book Awards, including Author of the Year in 2022, along with a host of other international literary prizes. His novels are published in sixty languages. Twitter- @JohnBoyneBooks Instagram- @JohnBoyneAuthor
Also by John Boyne
View allMore from General Fiction
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.