A historian, trying to finish a long-overdue book on Isaac Newton, rents a cottage not far by train from Dublin for the summer. All he need, he thinks, is a few weeks of concentrated work. Why, he must unravel, did Newton break down in 1693? What possessed him to write that strange letter to his friend John Locke? But in the long seeping summer days, old sloth and present reality take over.
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A historian, trying to finish a long-overdue book on Isaac Newton, rents a cottage not far by train from Dublin for the summer. All he need, he thinks, is a few weeks of concentrated work. Why, he must unravel, did Newton break down in 1693? What possessed him to write that strange letter to his friend John Locke? But in the long seeping summer days, old sloth and present reality take over.
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Add this copy of The Newton Letter to cart. $52.99, good condition, Sold by Russell Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Victoria, BC, CANADA, published 1994 by David R. Godine Publisher.
Add this copy of Newton Letter to cart. $65.00, like new condition, Sold by Southampton Sag Harbor Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southampton, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by David R. Godine Publisher.
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Seller's Description:
Like New in Like New jacket. First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($12.95 price intact). Published by David R. Godine, 1987. Octavo. Hardcover. Book is like new. Dust jacket is like new. An excellent copy of this novella from acclaimed writer, John Banville. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York.
Add this copy of The Newton Letter [Signed] to cart. $80.00, very good condition, Sold by Second Story Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Rockville, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by David R. Godine.
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Seller's Description:
Book. Octavo, 81 pages. In Very Good condition with a Very Good condition. Spine grey with orange and black lettering. Dust jacket protected with mylar covering, price uncut: "$12.95". Minor shelf wear. Interior pages clean. Signed flat by Banville on title page. Shelved under Display Table #2. 1386780. Shelved Dupont Bookstore.
Add this copy of The Newton Letter to cart. $95.66, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by David R. Godine, Publisher.
Add this copy of The Newton Letter to cart. $167.94, very good condition, Sold by RARE BOOK CELLAR rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Pomona, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by David R. Godine, Publisher.
The Newton Letter is a small book beautifully written, highly informative and thoroughly engaging. Can't wait to read the other two in the trilogy.
Os4short
Feb 14, 2009
What letter?
Don't read this book if you want to learn about Newton's letter - the two letter's by Newton referred to in the book, one historical, one fantasy, are seen only out of the corner of the eye, never in full view, and, for much of the book, forgotten all together. The main character in this brief novella- the narrator with no name - spends a few months in a rented cottage to finish his book about Newton, but gets wrapped up in the goings on at the main house. Although his mis-conceptions about this family become apparent as the story approaches the end, much is left unknown, or at least unspoken. No tidy package at the end.
Banville's prose sets the mood well, with a strong sense of place. However, neither the place nor any of the people that populate this story seem very likeable, including the narrator. Thus, it's tough to get drawn into the story. It may be realism, but the ending is unsatisfying. Still, it's worth the short time to read it, especially as part of Banville's impressive body of work.
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