Gabriel's Lament by Paul Bailey is a novel focusing on familial relationships in flux.
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| Author | Paul Bailey |
|---|---|
| Published | Jonathan Cape, 1986 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 336 |
| Awards | Man Booker Nominee for shortlist 1986 |
| ISBN | 1857025881 |
Synopsis
editNarrated by Gabriel Harvey, the novel is about the life of a boy whose life changes dramatically when his father inherits a large amount of money and his mother (who happens to be 35 years his father's junior), suddenly disappears. Gabriel at first thinks that his mother's leaving is temporary, but he comes to realize that indeed it is. In the book we see how Gabriel gradually comes to terms with the fact that her disappearance is a complete separation from his life.
Awards
editBackground
editAccording to an article written by Jasper Rees, "mined some of [Bailey's] early experiences." He added, "You don't need to be Sigmund Freud to work out that Gabriel's Lament...find[s] Bailey still working through a sense of bereavement."[3]
Reception
editKirkus Reviews calls Gabriel's Lament "a handsome if tortured effort" and sees that "Bailey has a true, well-nigh Dickensian gift for characterization and an ability to write roundly entertaining comic monologues."[4] while Publishers Weekly describes it as "an exotic blend of elements that, like strong English tea, leaves a powerful aftertaste."[5]
References
edit- ^ "Man Booker Shortlist". Good Reads. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Writers: Paul Bailey". British Council Literature. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ Rees, Jasper (29 July 2003). "A writer's life: Paul Bailey". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Gabriel's Lament". kirkusreviews.com. Kirkus Media LLC. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Gabriel's Lament". publishersweekly.com. PWxyz LLC. Retrieved 13 June 2015.