The Book of Man
Chosen by the American Library Association as one of the best books of 1995, this Scottish novel takes a savagely uncompromising and unsentimental look at the true nature of love and friendship in a city that, like its troubled characters, has lost all its old certainties.Kevin Previn returns to his native Glasgow after an absence of ten years, his homecoming prompted by the death of a friend and mentor, junkie writer Mike Illingworth, author of The Book of Man. Previn believes he's trawling the streets of Glasgow in order to make sense of his old friend's troubled life and death - but he's on a personal journey, a quest to understand his own childhood brutalities and lost loves. Past and present become one as Previn discovers what he has really left behind.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1466223588
ISBN13:9781466223585
Release Date:August 2011
Publisher:CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Length:176 Pages
Weight:0.71 lbs.
Dimensions:9.0" x 0.4" x 6.0"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
This novel is an overlooked masterpiece!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
With two recent titles of Barry Graham's cancelled due to Incommunicado Press going, well, incommunicado, I'm dismayed to see this book fall out of print. Luckily, it's available used. Here Graham is at the top of his form, delivering brutality and hope at a relentless clip. There's nothing forced here, nothing false. Innovations in technique are employed towards a definite end, not just to look hip. The dialogue is perfect, the characters seem real, and I'm convinced after finishing it that if there is any justice in the world (and there is a little left) BOOK OF MAN will be remembered as one of the finest novels of the 90's.My only gripe? The cover design and the plot summary on the back make the book seem a lot more flip and dated than it is. And that's the publisher's fault, not Graham's, so I don't know why I'm bothering to mention it...Fans of writers like Irvine Welsh, Charles Bukowski, and Eileen Myles will find this riveting. It should be on the shelf of every aspiring fiction writer. It should be in print. It should be next on your list.
Beautiful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
The Book of Man -- A story of a mans love for a friend -- for his lover and mother of child -- and for his son. I read the book in one sitting. Barry goes back and forth in memories -- so ya gotta be quick. Couldn't put the book down. ....amazing!
This is the best novel I have ever read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This book is a masterpiece. I have never read anything else that comes close. (I haven't read his other books, but I'm going to now.) I can't even describe how good this book is. Please read it.
Buy this book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
The Book of Man is the most touching piece of thrash fiction I've ever read. Barry Graham made me laugh, gag, cry and fall in love.
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