Forest Dark

(Paperback)

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From the bestselling, twice-Orange Prize-shortlisted, National Book Award-nominated author comes a tale of transformation; a richly layered masterpiece' (Financial Times) A brilliant novel Philip Roth Impossible to put down Independent Dazzling Guardian Jules Epstein has vanished from the world. He leaves no trace but a rundown flat patrolled by a solitary cockroach, and a monogrammed briefcase abandoned in the desert. To Epsteins mystified family, the disappearance of a man whose drive and avidity have been a force to be reckoned with for sixty-eight years marks the conclusion of a gradual fading. This transformation began in the wake of Epsteins parents deaths, and continued with his divorce after more than thirty-five years of marriage, his retirement from a New York legal firm, and the rapid shedding of his possessions. With the last of his wealth and a nebulous plan, he departs for the Tel Aviv Hilton. Meanwhile, a novelist leaves her husband and children behind in Brooklyn and checks into the same hotel, hoping to unlock her writers block. But when a man claiming to be a retired professor of literature recruits her for a project involving Kafka, she is drawn into a mystery that will take her on a metaphysical journey and change her in ways she could never have imagined. Bursting with life and humour, this is a profound, mesmerising, achingly beautiful novel of metamorphosis and self-realisation.

Reviews

Lucid and exhilarating ... A great gift * New York Times *
Forest Dark tantalizes and compels ... This is as original and impressive a work of fiction as I have encountered in years; a welcome reminder of how a novel can be defiantly and brilliantly novel -- Douglas Kennedy * New Statesman *
This dazzling dual-narrative novel is a fascinating meditation on fiction itself Forest Dark finds Krauss at the top of her game. It is blazingly intelligent, elegantly written and a remarkable achievement -- Emily St John Mandel * Guardian *
A richly layered masterpiece; creative, profound, insightful, deeply serious, effortlessly elegant, both human and humane. Krauss is a poet and a philosopher, and this latest work does what only the very best fiction can do startles, challenges and enlightens the reader, while showing the familiar world anew to get lost in Forest Dark is to wonder. It is a pleasure and a privilege to read -- Francesca Segal * Financial Times *
A meditation on loss and transformation and an investigation of the mysteries of art and literature and family -- Erica Wagner * Observer *
Krauss writes with lyricism and mystery, but isnt above the odd cutting observational detail -- Susie Rushton * Vogue, 'Summer Reading' *
Krauss is indeed a highly serious writer and also a very brilliant one The prose is flawless ... Forest Dark is accomplished, generous and unabashedly serious -- Cressida Connolly * Literary Review *
A brilliant novel. I am full of admiration -- Philip Roth
Forest Dark shares much in common with Philip Roths writing. Philosophical and intellectual, it explores identity, culture and the connections between the individual and history -- Hannah Beckerman * Sunday Express *
Krausss elegant, provocative, and mesmerising novel is her best yet. Rich in profound insights and emotional resonance, it follows two characters on their paths to self-realisation Nicoles conversations with Friedman and Epsteins with Klausner about God and the creation of the world are bracingly intellectual and metaphysical. Vivid, intelligent, and often humorous, this novel is a fascinating tour de force * Publishers Weekly *
This is a complex and rewarding novel that will linger long after youve reached the final page * Stylist *
She gives us a deft and mesmerising portrait of female midlife crisis and the desire to ground ones self in the world impossible to put down * Sarah Hughes, Independent *
Nicole Krauss is always in control of the flow of ideas and allusions even as she evokes her two protagonists increasingly feeble control over their own minds and sense of themselves. It is a remarkable accomplishment * Natasha Lehrer, Times Literary Supplement *
From the internationally bestselling, double Orange Prize-shortlisted author Nicole Krauss comes this ambitious novel of astonishing precision and dexterity ... Psychology, theological history, metaphysics and Kafka collide in this beautiful, inventive and intellectual work of fiction that deserves literary-prize recognition * Attitude Magazine *
She is evidently a novelist to be taken seriously a lot of intelligence and writing has gone into this novel * Yorkshire Post *
Her magnificent fourth novel, Forest Dark, a gorgeously written, effortlessly artful imitation of life One thing is certain, she has not played it safe: Forest Dark is a cerebral novel in which she takes breathtaking risks, questioning received ideas about faith and identity, featuring Freud and, most vividly, Franz Kafka * Herald *
Forest Dark is the sort of intelligent, serious novel seldom written nowadays. Those shards of gleaming insight are well worth gathering up * The Times *
Krauss's prose is stately, patient and watchful * Daily Telegraph *
She writes with true emotional acuity and tenderness * Irish Times *
Crystal clear. A sharp provocative and compelling piece of writing that was worth the wait * Big Issue *
Profound The feelings Epstein and Nicole have about their lives and loves feel hard-earned and true * Economist *
A vibrant tale of transformation Bursting with life and humour, this is mesmerising narrative of self-realisation * Psychologies *

Author Bio

Nicole Krauss has been hailed by the New York Times as 'one of Americas most important novelists'. She is the author of the international bestsellers, Great House, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Orange Prize, and The History of Love, which won the Saroyan Prize for International Literature and Frances Prix du Meilleur Livre tranger, and was short-listed for the Orange, Mdicis, and Femina prizes.