Headlong, a booker prize finalist, combines a heavy dose of humor with a fascinating glimpse into the world of priceless art. In fact frayn cleverly builds the clockwork mechanism of farce showcased so brilliantly in. When martin clay and his art historian wife are asked to appraise the private collection of a loutish man, it is martin, not his wife, who believes he. At bay in gear street, articles reprinted from the observer 1967. Here we have a perfect example of how a book can affect people in very different ways.
Not only is michael frayns novel, headlong, an artful narrative about artistic theft. Headlong book by michael frayn 12 available editions. Headlong isbn 0805062858 is a novel by michael frayn, published in 1999. While one of the pleasures of this book certainly lies in frayn s deft sendup of pompous academics, the novel also delivers humor of a less cerebral kind. Headlong s basic premise involves the supposed discovery of a longlost bruegel painting and the discoverers plot to acquire it for himself. Satirist, comic essayist, novelist, playwright, reporter, columnist, translator, screenwriter, philosopher. Michael frayn drew me into the story but the best part of the book was the background to the painter. Taking into account michael frayns expertise as an excellent playwright, this book is not short in proving his prowess in dialogue development. It covers a most interesting period in history when the reformation and the counterreformation was at its peak. His novels include towards the end of the morning, headlong, spies and skios. Michael frayns book taught me how to read a painting and how to understand whats behind the obvious subject painted, as well as the importance of historical context. Headlong by michael frayn hardback, 1998 for sale online. His novels include towards the end of the morning, the trick of it and a landing on the sun. Michael frayn s headlong 1999 turns alternately from comic novel to lively art history and back again.
In headlong, michael frayn, the master of what is seriously funny anthony burgess, offers a procession of superbly realized characters, from the country squire gone to seed to his giddy, oversexed young wife. Aug 03, 2015 satirist, comic essayist, novelist, playwright, reporter, columnist, translator, screenwriter, philosopher. From the bestselling author of headlong, a mesmerizing novel about secrecy, imagination, and a childs game turned deadly earnest the sudden trace of a disturbing, forgotten aroma compels stephen wheatley to return to the site of a dimly remembered but troubling childhood summer in wartime london. Frayn, a highly successful playwright noises off as well as a novelist of note a landing on the sun. The story is essentially a farce, but contains a large amount of scholarship about the painter. A young wouldbe art historian suddenly sees the chance of a lifetime.
Michael frayn is a celebrated british playwright and is also the author of eight novels including headlong and spies and three screenplays. Headlong by michael frayn shortlisted for the man booker prize and the whitbread novel award is a comic thriller set in the world of fine art, where a young philosophy lecturer risks his wealth and his sanity in the pursuit of an elusive masterpiece. Headlong is his first novel to appear in the united states since now you know came out in 1993. Headlong 1999 was shortlisted for the booker prize and. Headlong by michael frayn, 9780312267469, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The books comedy isnt quite uproarious enough, even in its moments of intended farce, and throughout the narrative the reader feels slightly. See all books authored by michael frayn, including copenhagen, and noises off, and more on. Frayn specialises in this kind of comedy, the mind racing ahead of. Highly recommended by several people whose opinions i value and with whom i often find myself in agreement, i assumed i would love this book. Headlong 1999 was shortlisted for the booker prize, while his most recent novel, spies 2002, won the whitbread novel award. When martin clay and his art historian wife are asked to appraise the private collection of a loutish man, it is martin, not his wife, who believes he has discovered a lost. In michael frayn s novel spies an old man returns to the scene of his seemingly ordinary suburban childhood. But what is striking is the thematic consistency that underpins a vast and diverse output. Buy a cheap copy of headlong book by michael frayn.
Aug 26, 2011 celebrated for his playwriting, british author michael frayn has also written screenplays and several acclaimed novels. Written by michael frayn, audiobook narrated by frederick davidson. All are burdened by human muddle and human cravings. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
One of the greatest living english dramatists, michael frayn is also the author of seven novels and three screenplays. He has also written philosophical works, such as the human touch. Headlong ebook by michael frayn 9781466828346 rakuten kobo. Headlong book by michael frayn 12 available editions half. This book was a very different, and somewhat overwhelming, reading experience. Very english, so expect to learn a great deal about class, and very learned, so expect to learn a great deal about art. Martin is asked to value some paintings and, though hes no expert, he is immediately sure one of them is a priceless missing. Martin clay is in the country with his wife and infant daughter to finish a book. The book s comedy isnt quite uproarious enough, even in its moments of intended farce, and throughout the narrative the reader feels slightly. Not only is michael frayn s novel, headlong, an artful narrative about artistic theft. A novel by michael frayn 2000, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. The original michael frayn, a collection of the above four, plus nineteen new observer pieces. Toby jones, gina mckee, tim mcinnerny and denise gough in robin brooks adaptation of michael frayn s novel.
The fact that a painter of the skill and authority of bruegel had to hide the real meaning of his work tells us more about that. Read headlong a novel by michael frayn available from rakuten kobo. On the outskirts, articles reprinted from the observer 1964. The book is very good and shows normal wear for a good book. His novels, such as towards the end of the morning, headlong and spies, have also been critical and commercial successes, making him one of the handful of writers in the english language to succeed in. In his antic new novel, headlong, the british playwright michael frayn has constructed an ingenious plot around a missing bruegel painting, and in doing so. Michael frayn s book taught me how to read a painting and how to understand whats behind the obvious subject painted, as well as the importance of historical context. His seventeen plays range from noises off, recently chosen as one of the nations three favourite plays, to copenhagen, which won the 1998 evening standard award for best play of the year and the. Now you know, is an odd combination of skilled farceur and scholar, and these strands in his wo. He has also written thirteen plays, among them noises off and copenhagen, which won three tony awards in 1999. Constructions, a volume of philosophical twaddle 1974. Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. In it we are introduced to martin, who narrates his moral and ethical struggles during a possibly historychanging art.
In headlong, for instance, as frayn s wouldbe art historian ruminates on the likelihood of a missing brueghel turning up, out pops an allusion to oscar wildes importance of being ernest. Headlong 1999 was shortlisted for the booker prize and spies 2002 won the whitbread best novel award. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. I didnt know he wrote novels because i knew frayn only for copenhagen, noises off, and now democracy, all great plays. In michael frayns first novel, the tin men, there is a character who is supposed to be writing a novel, but mainly concentrates on devising the blurbs and. Headlong 2015 read online free book by michael frayn in. Once in the country they are invited to the rundown estate of their neighbors, the. The novel is terrific, except for those repeated interruptions, and perhaps the same could be said for the art history, if art history were ones purpose for reading a novel. Celebrated for his playwriting, british author michael frayn has also written screenplays and several acclaimed novels.
Michael frayn has the rare ability to construct farcical comedy around philosophical principles and the laughs and the ideas effortlessly intermesh guardianfour old friends sit down for a quiet evening together. Headlong by frayn, michael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. But michael frayns headlong falls short in two ways. A novel that turns out to be as entertaining as it is intelligent, as stimulating as it is funny. Headlong has 12 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Michael frayn books list of books by author michael frayn. With its sumptuous surfaces and alluring sense of gravitas, classic dutch painting has fascinated writers for centuries. Michael frayn is the author of nine novels, including the bestselling headlong, which was a new york times editors choice selection and a booker prize finalist. The plot centres on the discovery of a longlost painting from pieter bruegels series the months. In his antic new novel, headlong, the british playwright michael frayn has constructed an ingenious plot around a missing bruegel painting, and in doing so, created his own resonant portrait of human folly. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. The plot centres on the discovery of a longlost painting from pieter bruegels.
Nicholas lezard dives into michael frayns rural, philosophical, farcical caper, headlong. Read headlong by michael frayn for free with a 30 day free trial. The book of fub, articles reprinted from the guardian 1963. Half way through headlong i thought it was one of the most brilliant books id read. Michael frayns headlong begins with martin clay, a philosopher taking time off to write a book about art, travelling to the country with his arthistorian wife and infant daughter, there to work in quiet and seclusion on the book he has not quite managed to really get started. Michael frayn enjoys equally successful careers as dramatist, novelist and translator, having started out as an awardwinning journalist. In his antic new novel, headlong, the british playwright michael frayn has constructed an ingenious plot around a missing bruegel painting.
Michael frayn was born in london in 1933 and began his career as a journalist on the guardian and the observer. Michael frayn, frsl is an english playwright and novelist. Taking into account michael frayn s expertise as an excellent playwright, this book is not short in proving his prowess in dialogue development. He is best known as the author of the farce noises off and the dramas copenhagen and democracy. An unlikely con man wagers wife, wealth, and sanity in pursuit of an elusive old master. Stephen wheatley is unsure of what he is seeking, but as he walks oncefamiliar streets he hasnt seen in 50 years, he unfolds a story of childish games colliding cruelly with adult realities. But michael frayn s headlong falls short in two ways. His novels, such as towards the end of the morning, headlong and spies, have also been critical and commercial successes, making him one of the handful of writers in the english language to succeed in both drama and prose fiction.
Headlong by michael frayn 1999 picador 2000 352 pp just a few days after seeing his play democracy, i was wandering around londons national gallery bookshop when i first saw michael frayn s novel headlong. Michael frayn s headlong begins with martin clay, a philosopher taking time off to write a book about art, travelling to the country with his arthistorian wife and infant daughter, there to work in quiet and seclusion on the book he has not quite managed to really get started. Ever erudite, michael frayn always uses his deep knowledge of philosophy to inveigle something deeper into what, on the surface, might appear to be no more than comic novels. Frayn, the author, is such a cynic and davidson, the narrator, so dry, that the book is a great pairing of writer and reader. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today.
1307 753 38 1060 33 1581 1462 1034 578 1165 39 517 1389 1662 770 755 1334 588 236 359 1158 1426 527 757 149 95 553 964 1645 1105 490 1619 755 910 12 394 630 1254 965 895 1186 1121 1191 1390 609 1028 263 1311