Muriella Pent
By:
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- Synopsis
- Russell Smith's highly praised new novel features some typically caustic satire, alongside a deep and melancholy awareness of the force of desire in our lives. The combination of wit and perception in Muriella Pent--and its brilliant dialogue, beautiful descriptive prose, assured handling of racial politics, and exact observation of modern types--underlines Russell Smith's claim to be one of Canada's subtlest, sharpest writers.The book begins with a poem by Marcus Royston (from his "Island Eclogues") and a fundraising message from Muriella Pent; then, in the first scene, still before chapter one, these two very different writers have a revealing post-coital conversation. The combination of texts and action, the pointed and moving dialogue, and the ineradicable presence of sex tell us a lot about how Muriella Pent will go on: it's precise and original even before really beginning.As satire and social observation, as an exploration of what art should be and do, as a study of sex as a prime mover in the messy triumphs of our lives, Muriella Pent is unmatched.rnalists, a meeting of librarians and Muriella's genteel book club alike: identity politics isn't everything, art isn't activism, and a novel shouldn't be read to uncover the author's social "message.""It is not about providing positive influence, or solving the problems of poverty. It's about the things, all dark things that..." He drained his cup. "All the dark things that motivate us." He stared straight in the eyes of the beautiful young girl and said, "Sex. It's about sex. Largely. And corruption and decadence. And all the terrible, terrible things we think."Muriella, Brian, and Julia -- that "beautiful young girl" -- are unsettled, and inspired.Perhaps the disastrous and chaotic party held in his honour at Muriella's house best illustrates the disruptive effect Marcus has on the lives around him, when the explosive power of desire crosses boundaries of age, gender and race. But Marcus is not simply a maverick: he is honest, pained, doubly in exile from a home he is ambivalent about, in sight of old age, and genuinely moved by his connection to Muriella and Julia.The novel's collage of diary entries, e-mails, letters and newspaper articles gives us unusual insight into the characters' needs and weaknesses as they are profoundly affected by crashing into each other. With Marcus and Muriella's involvement, Brian and Julia develop from wary adolescents into people capable of meaningful action; it is Muriella herself, however, who seems to change the most.But Muriella Pent works on a wider canvas; for all its psychological acuity it is profoundly, perhaps even primarily, a novel of place. Toronto is a vivid presence, from the roti shops on St. Clair West to historic sites like Fort York, from its earnest, grasping artists to the cosseted, pseudonymous enclave of Stilwoode Park.As satire and social observation, as an exploration of what art should be and do, as a study of sex as a prime mover in the messy triumphs of our lives, Muriella Pent is unmatched.From the Trade Paperback edition.
- Copyright:
- 2005
Book Details
- Book Quality:
- Publisher Quality
- ISBN-13:
- 9780385674195
- Related ISBNs:
- 9780385259798
- Publisher:
- Doubleday Canada, Limited
- Date of Addition:
- 03/26/11
- Copyrighted By:
- Russell Smith
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Has Image Descriptions:
- No
- Categories:
- Literature and Fiction
- Submitted By:
- Bookshare Staff
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.