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Lanark

A Life in Four Books
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( 7,726 ratings, 759 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
In Lanark by Alasdair Gray, the narrative follows a young man called Lanark who finds himself in a dystopian, nightmarish version of Glasgow, grappling with identity and alienation. The novel blends elements of fantasy, realism, and science fiction as it examines themes of individuality, creativity, and societal decay. The narrative is interwoven with philosophical queries and explores the protagonist’s quest for meaning in a perplexing world.
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Format: Hardback
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy surreal, imaginative narratives that blend elements of dystopian fantasy with a gritty depiction of urban life. Its unique structure and thought-provoking themes, including the exploration of identity and society, offer a rich and engrossing experience for fans of complex, multi-layered storytelling.

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40th anniversary commemorative hardback edition of the modern classic, introduced by William Boyd.

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

40th anniversary edition

Probably the greatest novel of the century - Observer

Lanark, a modern vision of hell set in the disintegrating cities of Unthank and Glasgow, tells the interwoven stories of Lanark and Duncan Thaw. A work of extraordinary imagination, its playful narrative conveys a profound message, both personal and political, about humankind's inability to love, and yet our compulsion to go on trying.

First published in 1981, Lanark established Alasdair Gray as one of Britain's leading writers and kickstarted the modern renaissance of Scottish literature.

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?

Regarded as a landmark of twentieth-century fiction, Lanark is praised for its imaginative scope and its significant impact on Scottish literature, often credited with initiating a literary renaissance in Scotland. Critics highlight its vibrant, often paradoxical tone—both exuberant and despairing—as it explores themes of societal decay with humour and clarity. The book’s influence is noted for reshaping the literary landscape, making Gray’s work accessible to a wide audience through its straightforward prose, while still offering a rich, imaginative journey.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838852900

Publisher: Canongate Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 18 February 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Canongate Books

Edition: Main

Illustration: Integrated black and white illustrations

Contributors:

  • Introduction by William Boyd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 49.0mm

Width: 162.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 854g

Pages: 592

About the Author

Born in 1934, Alasdair Gray graduated in design and mural painting from the Glasgow School of Art. Since 1981, when Lanark was published by Canongate, he authored, designed and illustrated seven novels, several books of short stories, a collection of his stage, radio and TV plays and a book of his visual art, A Life in Pictures. In November 2019, he received a Lifetime Achievement award by the Saltire Society. He died in December 2019, aged eighty-five.

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