The Present and the Past - Softcover
"Ivy Compton-Burnett is one of the most original, artful, and elegant writers of our century." — Hilary Mantel
When Cassius Clare and his first wife divorced, he insisted upon retaining custody of their two sons; he then remarried and fathered three more children. Now the first Mrs. Clare has returned after nine years' absence, begging to be allowed to visit the children. Cassius takes a malicious pleasure in granting her request, certain that she and the second Mrs. Clare will provide him with an amusing sideshow. Instead, the two women strike up a warm friendship that leaves him out in the cold — and contemplating an attention-getting suicide attempt.
Compton-Burnett was known as a writer's writer: Joyce Carol Oates called her work "Aeschylus and Sophocles funnily reinvented by Oscar Wilde"; John Waters described her books as "dark, hilarious, evil little novels"; and V. S. Pritchett, in 1955, noted she was "the most original novelist now writing in English." Discover for yourself why Compton-Burnett is treasured by such a wide range of authors.
"Precise, poised, studied, epigrammatic artistry." — Kirkus
"Anyone who picks up a Compton-Burnett finds it very hard not to put it down." — Ivy Compton-Burnett
"A rich story, told with far deeper insight and a bolder, more sure-footed appreciation of subtleties, than I think any of Compton-Burnet's contemporaries could achieve." — The Spectator (U.K.)
When Cassius Clare and his first wife divorced, he insisted upon retaining custody of their two sons; he then remarried and fathered three more children. Now the first Mrs. Clare has returned after nine years' absence, begging to be allowed to visit the children. Cassius takes a malicious pleasure in granting her request, certain that she and the second Mrs. Clare will provide him with an amusing sideshow. Instead, the two women strike up a warm friendship that leaves him out in the cold — and contemplating an attention-getting suicide attempt.
Compton-Burnett was known as a writer's writer: Joyce Carol Oates called her work "Aeschylus and Sophocles funnily reinvented by Oscar Wilde"; John Waters described her books as "dark, hilarious, evil little novels"; and V. S. Pritchett, in 1955, noted she was "the most original novelist now writing in English." Discover for yourself why Compton-Burnett is treasured by such a wide range of authors.
"Precise, poised, studied, epigrammatic artistry." — Kirkus
"Anyone who picks up a Compton-Burnett finds it very hard not to put it down." — Ivy Compton-Burnett
"A rich story, told with far deeper insight and a bolder, more sure-footed appreciation of subtleties, than I think any of Compton-Burnet's contemporaries could achieve." — The Spectator (U.K.)
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Ivy Compton-Burnett (1884–1969) received a degree in classics from the University of London's Holloway College. The author of more than 20 novels, she developed an innovative style in which her seemingly ordinary dialogue ultimately reveals insights into behavior and truths of human nature.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDover Publications
- Publication date2019
- ISBN 10 0486839117
- ISBN 13 9780486839110
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages192
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 10.88
Shipping:
US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Seller Image
Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Softcover
Quantity: 4
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 35922041-n
Buy New
US$ 10.88
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Softcover
Quantity: 3
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!. Seller Inventory # OTF-S-9780486839110
Buy New
US$ 9.54
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 0.39. Seller Inventory # 0486839117-2-1
Buy New
US$ 18.96
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 0.39. Seller Inventory # 353-0486839117-new
Buy New
US$ 18.97
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Softcover
Quantity: 6
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9780486839110
Buy New
US$ 19.00
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications, Inc. 2019-10-16, Mineola, New York
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: eng. Seller Inventory # 9780486839110
Buy New
US$ 15.49
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0486839117
Buy New
US$ 21.20
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0486839117
Buy New
US$ 21.21
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0486839117
Buy New
US$ 23.50
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Present and the Past
Published by
Dover Publications
(2019)
ISBN 10: 0486839117
ISBN 13: 9780486839110
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0486839117
Buy New
US$ 25.58
Convert currency