{"product_id":"the-hall-of-uselessness-collected-essays-by-simon-leys-9781863955850","title":"The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Leys' cultural and political commentary has spanned four decades, with no corner of the arts escaping his sharp eye and acerbic wit. \u003cem\u003eThe Hall of Uselessness\u003c\/em\u003e forms the most complete collection yet of Leys' fascinating essays, from Quixotism to China, from the sea to literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLeys feuds with Christopher Hitchens, ponders the popularity of Victor Hugo and analyses the posthumous publication of Nabokov's unfinished novel. He offers valuable insights into Mao's Cultural Revolution and the Khmer Rouge, and discusses Orwell, Waugh and Confucius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe considers the intertwined nature of Chinese art, culture and history alongside the joys and difficulties of literary translation. \u003cem\u003eThe Hall of Uselessness\u003c\/em\u003e is an illuminating compendium from a brilliant and highly acclaimed writer - a long-time resident of Australia who is truly a global citizen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47471783739628,"sku":"9781863955850","price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781863955850-the-hall-of-uselessness-collected-essays.jpg?v=1775254255","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/the-hall-of-uselessness-collected-essays-by-simon-leys-9781863955850","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}