In 1532, eleven years after the Spanish conquest, Mexico is in crisis. As the conquistadors discover an earthly paradise, its peoples and their Gods are being destroyed. This is a time of greed, uncertainty and idealism. Despairing of his surroundings, Vasco de Quiroga, a new member of the Spanish ruling council, forges a commune on Mexico City's outskirts, using Thomas More's book, Utopia, as his blueprint. As Toby Green explores Quiroga’s story, he begins to sense an eerie resonance between Quiroga’s age and our own. With vivid reconstructions of 16th-century Spain and Mexico, the narrative becomes an account not only of Quiroga, but also of Utopia as both an idea and a literary form.
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Toby Green, 24, graduated from Cambridge University in 1996, having obtained a First in Philosophy. He was one of four finalists in the 94-95 `Observer Young Travel Writer of the Year' Competition. He currently works in London for a Literary Agency.
'Green has written a vivid account of this visionary explorer...Thoughtful and imaginative.' -- Anthony Sattin SUNDAY TIMES (16.5.04) 'What Green does is to tell a good and captivating story of great interest and resonance in the modern world...highly enjoyable and illuminating.' -- Sandy Balfour THE SPECTATOR (22.5.04) 'a fascinating, moving story, and...Toby Green tells it very well. Travelling in Quiroga's footsteps, he beautifully describes the austere landscapes of Spain and Mexico's water-dripping, flower-twined lushness, a paradise about to be destroyed by the Spaniards and by the cattle they imported. His imaginative reconstructions of Quiroga's life on both sides of the Atlantic are carefully and subtly done.' -- Ann Wroe TELEGRAPH (29.5.04) 'He [Green] adopts an original form for the book, moving between historical description and fictionalisation of his own encounters while on Quiroga's trail.' -- Nick Rennison WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY 'a witty exploration of utopianism and its place in modern thought.' -- Michael Kerrigan THE SCOTSMAN (29.5.04) '...excellent. A fascinating account study of a Utopian project in 16th century Mexico.' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY 'remarkable...fascinating...this is that rare publication, a serious work of history and philosophy which reads with all the compelling interest of a page-turning novel.' MORNING STAR (28.6.04) 'Green...writes very well.' -- Stephen Smith OBSERVER (20.6.04) 'Fascinating.' GOOD BOOK GUIDE (1.7.04) 'a...sincere fusion of satire, history and philosophical inquiry...The author is a serious scholar with an intuitive sense of how currents of human sorrow course underneath the patina of "history"'. -- Jean McNeil INDEPENDENT (21.7.04) 'This is a fascinating and highly readable account of an undiscovered corner of history.' -- Sally Zigmond HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Thomas More's Magician: A Novel Account of Utopia in Mexico This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780297829881
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Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. STiff unmarked book in crisp dust jacket; about new. ; 1.4 x 9.2 x 6.1 Inches; 340 pages; In 1532, eleven years after the Spanish conquest, Mexico is in crisis. As the conquistadors discover an earthly paradise, its peoples and their Gods are being destroyed. This is a time of greed, uncertainty?and idealism. Despairing of his surroundings, Vasco de Quiroga, a new member of the Spanish ruling council, forges a commune on Mexico City's outskirts, using Thomas More's book, Utopia, as his blueprint. As Toby Green explores Quiroga?s story, he begins to sense an eerie resonance between Quiroga?s age and our own. With vivid reconstructions of 16th-century Spain and Mexico, the narrative becomes an account not only of Quiroga, but also of Utopia as both an idea and a literary form. Seller Inventory # 37269
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Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. About new book but for faint pencil price shadow to front endpaper; in crisp DJ. ; 1.4 x 9.2 x 6.1 Inches; 340 pages; In 1532, eleven years after the Spanish conquest, Mexico is in crisis. As the conquistadors discover an earthly paradise, its peoples and their Gods are being destroyed. This is a time of greed, uncertainty?and idealism. Despairing of his surroundings, Vasco de Quiroga, a new member of the Spanish ruling council, forges a commune on Mexico City's outskirts, using Thomas More's book, Utopia, as his blueprint. As Toby Green explores Quiroga?s story, he begins to sense an eerie resonance between Quiroga?s age and our own. With vivid reconstructions of 16th-century Spain and Mexico, the narrative becomes an account not only of Quiroga, but also of Utopia as both an idea and a literary form. Seller Inventory # 22757
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