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Loading... Giant's Bread (1930)by Mary Westmacott
Agatha Christie (4) Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. This is the first of Christie's undertakings under the pseudonym of Mary Westmacott. I find it rather refreshing from all of her mystery novels with Poirot, Marple, et.al. This really takes you into the mindset of the main characters and all their flawed thoughts. Its almost a psychological view of what some people will go through to either get what they want or to deny themselves what they want. I think she did quite well to begin this story with the childhood of several of the main characters, which sets the table to what will happen later on. Although I was a bit surprised at the end with which of the 2 women in his life he saved. I originally picked this up with some debate as to whether I would like it or not. It does seem to have a way of growing on you as you make your way through the book. Not sure that the writing rises to the heights but the story is fascinating, how the giant of genius, working through an essentially weak young man, grinds the bones of heredity, envrionment and sex/love to make the bread of a brilliant work of art (i.e. fee, fie, fo, fum...I'll grind his bones to make my bread) Helps if you have some knowledge of early 20th century arts and history - some of the more ridiculous sounding art in this book is taken from reality e.g. Tatlin's monument to the 3rd international - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatlin's_Tower An ambitious work chock full of ideas! no reviews | add a review
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A spellbinding novel of romantic obsession. Vernon Deyre is a sensitive and brilliant musician, even a genius. But there is a high price to be paid for his talent, especially by his family and the two women in his life. His sheltered childhood in the home he loves has not prepared Vernon for the harsh reality of his adult years, and in order to write the great masterpiece of his life, he has to make a crucial decision with no time left to count the cost... Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as compelling and memorable as the best of her work. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.912Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1901-1945LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I have finished reading "Giant's Bread" and it was a truly incredible reading experience. Why? The author is very insightful and through the characters she creates not merely a love story but shares the complexities of human nature for childhood friends up through their adult years. There is a poignancy to the experiences through the years of WWI that bring an unexpected impact.
I am looking forward to reading the next romance titled, "Unfinished Portrait."
Don't miss reading more about the novels by Christie's daughter, Rosalind Hicks...
https://www.agathachristie.com/about-christie/family-memories/the-mary-westmacot...
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