The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway
Publisher: Windmill Books
Published: 29 Jan 2009 in Paperback
The Jorgmund Pipe is the backbone of the world, and it’s on fire. Gonzo Lubitsch, professional hero and troubleshooter, is hired to put it out – but there’s more to the fire, and the Pipe itself, than meets the eye. The job will take Gonzo and his best friend, our narrator, back to their own beginnings and into the dark heart of the Jorgmund Company itself. Equal parts raucous adventure, comic odyssey and Romantic Epic, “The Gone-Away World” is a story of – among other things – love and loss; of ninjas, pirates, politics; of curious heroism in strange and dangerous places; and, of a friendship stretched beyond its limits. But it also the story of a world, not unlike our own, in desperate need of heroes – however unlikely they may seem.
Comment:
This novel had a lot of buzz when it came out in Hardback last year and thankfully it wasn’t just promotional froth. It’s been nominated for the BSFAs for a start. I’ve also read some great reviews.
One great quote from the guardian,
What keeps you reading through the longueurs is the hope for the next such set-piece, of whatever genre it might turn out to be.
and who can resist a novel with ninjas, pirates and dangerous places? Not me. It sounds intriguing to say the least?
Links:
Torque Control – review
the guardian – review
Strange Horizons – review
I am liking the look of the novel – I was fondling it inappropriately at Waterstones yesterday and have subsequently put it on my birthday list!
Also, am loving the new look of the site. Well done!
I’ve been looking at it for a while – I hope that the someone coughs up with a copy!