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The Man in the Red Coat

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( 3,822 ratings, 640 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 Man in the Red Coat by Julian Barnes explores the lives of prominent figures in 19th-century Paris through the lens of Dr. Samuel Pozzi, a pioneering gynaecologist. The book blends biography and cultural history, offering a vivid portrait of an era marked by artistic and social upheaval.
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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 have an interest in Belle Époque Paris, the intricacies of art and culture, or the fascinating connections between historical figures. This book offers a richly detailed narrative that blends biography, history, and witty storytelling.

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The Man in the Red Coat

"Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain in slightly different form by Johnathan Cape, ... London, in 2019"--Copyright page.

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

The Man in the Red Coat by Julian Barnes is a masterful exploration of Belle Époque Paris through the life of Samuel Pozzi, a remarkable figure whose story intertwines with some of the most fascinating aspects of the era. Barnes invites readers on a journey through the decadence and splendour of late 19th-century France, focusing on Pozzi, a pioneering surgeon, society doctor, and a man of vast intellect and complex personal life.

Set against the backdrop of Paris during its most flamboyant and tumultuous period, the narrative begins in the summer of 1885. Three Frenchmen make their way to London on a shopping trip: an aristocratic Prince, a fashionable Count, and at the centre, the commoner Samuel Pozzi. Pozzi, known for his progressive views and innovations in gynaecology, had already gained fame and notoriety, heightened by his depiction in one of John Singer Sargent’s most famous portraits.

Pozzi’s life unfolds amidst a vibrant but often morally ambiguous society. The Belle Époque, a time often remembered for its artistic and cultural achievements, also had a darker side filled with hysteria, narcissism, and violence. Barnes skilfully draws parallels between Pozzi’s era and our own, highlighting ongoing societal dilemmas and human behaviours.

As readers delve into The Man in the Red Coat, they encounter a series of vivid historical figures, their lives and scandals exquisitely portrayed, thereby constructing a comprehensive tapestry of the times. The narrative embraces the dualities of glamour and decadence, science and superstition, order and chaos, presenting them through Barnes’ characteristically sharp wit and eloquent prose.

In addition to the rich historical narrative, Barnes’ work is deeply researched, offering insights into both the grand characters and the lesser-known details that shaped them. With a narrative that is both highly entertaining and intellectually stimulating, this book promises to engage and delight.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BOOK AWARDS 2020

As praised by the Evening Standard, this book is “a bravura performance, highly entertaining”. Julian Barnes, the Booker Prize-winning author of The Sense of an Ending, brings his unique voice and insightful perspective to this mesmerising examination of an extraordinary period and an extraordinary man.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DUFF COOPER PRIZE 2019

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 Man in the Red Coat by Julian Barnes has received acclaim for its intelligent prose and entertaining narrative. Reviewers highlighted it as a masterful and bravura performance, brimming with delights and unconventional storytelling. The book vividly brings to life the Belle Époque era through colourful lives and engaging anecdotes, making it a highly recommended read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529112313

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 June 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 450g

Pages: 280

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About the Author

Julian Barnes is the author of thirteen novels, including The Sense of an Ending, which won the 2011 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, and Sunday Times bestsellers The Noise of Time and The Only Story. He has also written three books of short stories, four collections of essays and three books of non-fiction, including the Sunday Times number one bestseller Levels of Life and Nothing To Be Frightened Of, which won the 2021 Yasnaya Polyana Prize in Russia. In 2017 he was awarded the Legion d'honneur.

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