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The Glutton

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( 6,336 ratings, 1,361 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 The Glutton by A. K. Blakemore, the narrative immerses readers in a vividly imagined historical setting where a charming yet complex protagonist navigates the tensions between desire, societal norms, and personal freedom. The story unfolds with rich descriptions, engaging the reader in an exploration of identity and excess through a lens of both humour and poignancy.
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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?

You might enjoy this engaging novel if you're drawn to richly crafted narratives and character-driven stories. It's a tale that explores themes of excess and desire, offering a blend of vivid prose and psychological insight. Perfect for readers who appreciate an immersive dive into the complexities of human nature.

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One man with an insatiable hunger: a novel of desire and destruction in Revolutionary France, based on a true story, from the Desmond Elliott Prize-winning author of The Manningtree Witches.

One man with an insatiable hunger: a novel of desire and destruction in Revolutionary France, based on a true story, from the Desmond Elliott Prize-winning author of The Manningtree Witches.

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

Sister Perpetue is not to move. She is not to fall asleep. She is to sit, keeping guard over the patient's room. She has heard the stories of his hunger, which defy belief: that he has eaten all manner of creatures and objects. A child even, if the rumours are to be believed. But it is hard to believe that this slender, frail man is the one they once called The Great Tarare, The Glutton of Lyon.

Before, he was just Tarare. Well-meaning and hopelessly curious, born into a world of brawling and sweet cider, to a bereaved mother and a life of slender means. The 18th Century is drawing to a close, unrest grips the heart of France and life in the village is soon shaken. When a sudden act of violence sees Tarare cast out and left for dead, his ferocious appetite is ignited, and it's not long before his extraordinary abilities to eat make him a marvel throughout the land.

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 Glutton by A. K. Blakemore is widely praised for its striking language and hallucinatory imagery, creating a vivid portrayal of 18th-century society. Many reviewers admire its original approach to historical fiction, describing it as a sensory feast that explores themes of poverty, desire, and survival. A captivating novel, it is lauded for its ability to evoke empathy and its gripping depiction of the life of Tarare, providing both a visceral and beautifully crafted narrative.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783789191

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 21 September 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 445g

Pages: 336

About the Author

A. K. Blakemore's debut novel, The Manningtree Witches, won the Desmond Elliott Prize 2021, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, and was a Waterstones Book of the Month. She is the author of two full-length collections of poetry, Humbert Summer and Fondue, which was awarded the 2019 Ledbury Forte Prize for Best Second Collection, and has also translated the work of Sichuanese poet Yu Yoyo. Her poetry and prose has appeared in the London Review of Books, Poetry, the Poetry Review and the White Review, among other publications.

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