A historian, trying to finish a long-overdue book on Isaac Newton, rent 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, rent 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. $27.01, very good condition, Sold by Giant Giant rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reston, VA, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by David R. Godine, Publisher.
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Seller's Description:
UsedVeryGood. Size: 5x0x8; Very Good condition. Crisp pages. Clean cover and pages. Book shows minimal shelf wear. No highlighting/marking. Not Satisfied? Contact us to get a refund.
Add this copy of The Newton Letter to cart. $60.35, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1999 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.
