by_george_stace
2009 Nominated

By George

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Two years ago, singer-songwriter Wesley Stace blew onto the literary scene with his bold and free-wheeling Dickensian comedy Misfortune. Now, he is back with another wonderfully entertaining and inventive novel. By George is the twisting story of four generations of the curious Fisher family, as told by two boys named George Fisher: one, a schoolboy in the 1970s; the other, a ventriloquist’s dummy in the second World War. It’s a story of love, loss and family ties, and of two boys separated by years but driven by the same desires: to find a voice, and to be loved.

“By George is one of those rare works of fiction with an essential triple helix — it’s funny, it’s clever and it’s perfectly woven together with story. If writing is how we imagine not being lobely, as Wesley Stace suggests, then his conjuring trick as a writer is that he brings a large crowd along with him. This is a wonderful follow-up to his debut novel, Misfortune” — Colum McCann, author of Zoliand Dancer

“Filled with wit, warmth and imagination… Stace amasses enough gently ironic humor, emotion and insight to carry his voices beautifully.” — Publishers Weekly

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Wesley
Stace

Wesley Stace is an English folk/pop singer-songwriter and author who has used the stage name John Wesley Harding. Under his legal name, he has written four novels. He is also an occasional university teacher and the curator of Wesley Stace’s Cabinet of Wonders.

Wesley Stace is an English folk/pop singer-songwriter and author who has used the stage name John Wesley Harding. Under his legal name, he has written four novels. He is also an occasional university teacher and the curator of Wesley Stace’s Cabinet of Wonders.

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NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Exceptional literary merit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
United Kingdom
Original Language
English
Author

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