The Athenian Murders
The Athenian Murders is a 2002 novel that follows the motives and relationships behind a crime while steadily building tension.
Work Information
The clearer the outline of the case becomes, the more complicated the characters' relationships grow.
The Athenian Murders layers clues and shifting emotions so the reader follows not only the truth of the case but also the relationships around it. As the story moves forward, the tension outside the investigation comes into view.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Abacus
- Published
- 2002-12-05
- Pages
- 320 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 12.8 x 2.1 x 19.8 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9780349116181
- ISBN-10
- 0349116180
- Price
- 2653 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/Historical
THE ATHENIAN MURDERS is a brilliant, very entertaining and absolutely original literary mystery, revolving round two intertwined riddles. In classical Athens, one of the pupils of Plato's Academy is found dead. His idealistic teacher suspects that this wasn't an accident and asks Herakles, known as the 'Decipherer of Enigmas', to investigate the death and ultimately a dark, irrational and subversive cult. The second plot unfolds in parallel through the footnotes of the translator of the text. As he proceeds with his work, he becomes increasingly convinced that the original author has hidden a second meaning, which can be brought to light by interpreting certain repeated words and images. As the main plot and also the translation of the manuscript advances, there are certain sinister coincidences, and it seems that the text is addressing him personally and in an increasingly menacing manner... THE ATHENIAN MURDERS constitutes a highly compelling, entertaining and intelligent game about the different ways we can see and read reality, about our refusal to take things 'as they are' and our need to interpret hidden meanings into everyday life.
Born in Habana in 1959 Somoza is a qalified psychiatrist but has been writing full-time since 1994. His many awards inc. the Cervantes Theatre Prize & the Cafe Gijon Prize & his novel DAFNE DESVANECIDA was shortlisted for 1 of Spain's most prestigious awards- the Nadal Prize.
Reviews
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My friends keep stealing it!!!
(NO SPOILERS) How many more times must I buy this book? I first read it years ago. It was one of the few books that grabbed me on the first page and actually managed to keep me 'grabbed' until the last. I didn't see the surprise ending coming, and (at the risk of offending people cleverer than myself) I would kinda doubt the honestly of ANYONE who says they saw it coming. If I had to make a list of my all time favorite books, this would be up in the top 5 or so. And for me it's stood the test of time, because I first read it nearly 10 years ago. My friends all love it too, alas. It's the kind of book that you get excited about, and want to share. So I keep lending each new copy to friends. Unfortunately, THEY get excited, and share it too, forgetting that it was MINE! But seriously, this is an excellent mystery with one of the biggest twists ever. I don't want to start telling you what it's about, and I strongly advise against reading any reviews that do. Just buy it, start reading, and let yourself be sucked in. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
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Very, very clever. This led me in one ...
Very, very clever. This led me in one direction and then completely flipped the story around on its head. I thought this was going to be a straightforward period detective novel, but it wasn't - it was something very different! Totally unexpected.
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Review
Book is in superb quality. And very trustworthy seller . Very happy to deal with the seller.
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Highly surprising book - great edition
This is, by far, one of the most surprising books I've ever read. It's far from being your average suspense/literary thriller, with its mistery component taken to limits of content and form. Highly recommended for people who love fiction in general, and are looking for an innovative literary experience.
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Five Stars
The book received in excellent condition.
Related Literary Awards
- CWA KAA Gold Dagger Edition 48 (2002) ・Winner