Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Delacorte Press/Seymour Lawrence (1981), Hardcover, 396 pages
Description
In the final days of the Second World War, Hugh Selwyn Mauberley scrawls his desperate account on the walls and ceilings of his ice-cold prison high in the Austrian Alps. Officers of the liberating army discover his frozen, disfigured corpse and his astonishing testament -- the sordid truth that he alone possessed. Fascinated but horrified, they learn of a dazzling array of characters caught up in scandal and political corruption. The exiled Duke and Duchess of Windsor, von Ribbentrop, Hitler, Charles Lindbergh, Sir Harry Oakes -- all play sinister parts in an elaborate scheme to secure world domination.
User reviews
LibraryThing member libraryhermit
I have read quite a few books about the despicable characters who have open season during a war for their nefarious activities, but this is one of the most notable for absolutely depraved human behaviour. Although the truth of the horror of war in other books is no less strong, somehow in Timothy
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Findley, it seems so much more direct and real, not remote and foreign. Show Less
LibraryThing member iayork
Extraordinary Fiction!: Timothy Findley's new novel is the result of a poetic and limitless imagination which goes beyond the confines of national boundaries and places him securely among the most original creative writers in the twentieth century. With a rich, brilliantly crafted plot, this novel
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of gripping international intrigue is one of his best yet. Ingenius characters and a fantastic plot make this novel a brilliant example of Findley's genius. A captivating piece of fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member mikerr
Findley is seriously underrated. This novel beautifully blends history and fiction, weaving together figures like Ezra Pound, the Duke of Windsor, Wallace Simpson, Charles Lindbergh, and Sir Harry Oakes. Moody, absorbing, clever; reading this book is like being submerged - and not wanting to come
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up for air. Show Less
LibraryThing member AndrewCottingham
Extremely well written with an engrossing plot
LibraryThing member corgidog2
This is one of Findley's best and most enigmatic novels.
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
Wow! This was one terrific book. I have a new admiration for Findley's writing and I'm glad I've got Headhunter on the TBR pile.
In this book, Findley has an imaginary person (Hugh Selwyn Mauberley, a person named in a poem by Ezra Pound) tell a story about real people during World War II. The real
All of the characters, even minor ones, are exquisitely well-drawn. The Duchess is as bitchy as they come but you also can't help but feel sorry for her. Mauberley appears at first to be a dilettante, living on the edge of high society, but as the story progresses he is immersed in the cloak and dagger scheme.
It's a fascinating read and I would recommend it to anyone.
In this book, Findley has an imaginary person (Hugh Selwyn Mauberley, a person named in a poem by Ezra Pound) tell a story about real people during World War II. The real
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people include: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Ezra Pound, German Foreign Minister van Ribbentrop, German Deputy Leader Rudolf Hess, Canadian millionaire Harry Oakes and the famous pilot, Charles Lindbergh. The premise is that a cabal of people from both sides of the war are planning a new order to rule the Western Hemisphere (at least) after the war. They want the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to be their King and Queen. Mauberley, a friend of the Duchess for 20 years, is delegated to get the Duchess on side and keep her there. We know this plot was not successful because at the book starts with Mauberley fleeing to an Austrian hotel towards the end of the war. He writes his story on the hotel walls with a silver pencil. When the Americans get to the hotel, Mauberley and everyone else has been killed although Mauberley still clasps his silver pencil. As you read his story, the details are so realistic that you can't help but wonder if there is some truth to it.All of the characters, even minor ones, are exquisitely well-drawn. The Duchess is as bitchy as they come but you also can't help but feel sorry for her. Mauberley appears at first to be a dilettante, living on the edge of high society, but as the story progresses he is immersed in the cloak and dagger scheme.
It's a fascinating read and I would recommend it to anyone.
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
the interplay between egotism and fascism is very well described by this Canadian Novelist. The ambiguous role played by Edward VIII is given the sinister twist and the chilling result is played out by principals and followers alike.
LibraryThing member LynnB
Having recently completed a biography of Sir Harry Oakes, I decided to re-read this novel by Timothy Findlay in which Oakes plays a role.
Timothy Findlay is one of my favourite authors, and I've read everything he's written. This is a historical novel, looking at a WW2 plot to install the Duke and
Timothy Findlay is one of my favourite authors, and I've read everything he's written. This is a historical novel, looking at a WW2 plot to install the Duke and
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Duchess of Windsor as monarchy of a new world order. Lots of intrigue, and in Mr. Findlay's hand, a moving story about ambition, love and loyalty. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1981
Physical description
396 p.; 8.4 inches
ISBN
0440024773 / 9780440024774
Local notes
OCLC = 159
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