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Description edit
From the two-time Booker Prize–winning author: an irrepressibly funny new novel set in early-nineteenth-century America. Olivier—an improvisation on the life of Alexis de Tocqueville—is the traumatized child of aristocratic survivors of the French Revolution. Parrot is the motherless son of... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Mathilde: A fiery, talented female artist, French, companion/wife to Parrot.
- Monsieur: An opportunistic Frenchman who keeps Parrot around in various types of servitude.
- Amelia Godefroy: An American girl, object of Olivier's affection, who aspires to move past her situation (perhaps in France...?)
- Mrs Watkins: Add a description of this character.
- Mrs Piggott
- Mr Peek
- Odile
- John Larrit: Nicknamed "Parrot", he shows an early talent for art and travels with his father until circumstance puts him in service to two very different men.
- Tilbot
- Master Larrit: John's father, the best companion a boy could have.
- Mlle Desclée
- M. Duponceau
- Olivier De Garmont: A French aristocrat whose place in society has become tenuous due to the French revolution. He travels to America, ostensibly to write about the penitentiary system.
- Maman
- Havre
- Mr Poole
- James
- M. Perroquet
- Vive Le Roi
- Mrs Bingham
- Thomas
- Blacqueville
- Gustave
- Marianne
- Dirk
- Mr Parrot
- Marie
- Peter
- Jackson
- Guizot
- Bonaparte
- La Londe
First Sentence edit
I had no doubt that something cruel and catastrophic had happened fefore I was even born, yet the comte and comtesse, my parents, would not tell me what it was.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in NPR Summer Books 2010. (authoritative list)
This book is in Top Rated Books. (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Peter Carey (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton/Penguin Group Camberwell
Country: Australia
Publication Date: October 26, 2009
ISBN: 9781926428147
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton/Penguin Group Camberwell
Country: Australia
Publication Date: October 26, 2009
ISBN: 9781926428147
Page Count: 464
Awards edit
- Amazon Best of the Month (April 2010, #1)
- Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (2010: Fiction)
- Man Booker Prize (Finalist, 2010, Shortlist)
- National Book Award (Finalist, 2010: Fiction)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PR9619.3.C36P37
- Dewey: 823.914
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