Edward Carey’s Little was one of those books I tucked away at the back of my shelves when it arrived. The story of Madame Tussaud, accompanied by a good deal of brouhaha and not published for months, it didn’t immediately appeal. Then Twitter fever started to take off so I decided to give it a try and it ended up on both my books of the year list and Booker Prize wish list. No such shilly-shallying with The Swallowed Man which went straight to the front of the TBR queue on arrival.
Setting out to find his lost son, Giuseppe Lorenzini is swallowed by a fish so gigantic it has a schooner already in its maw. Finding candles sufficient to last many days together with writing and painting materials on board and a box of matches in his trouser pocket, he decides to record his story and that of his son who was no ordinary boy. A carpenter proud of his skills, Geppetto carved himself a son from wood whose first act was to pull his father’s wig off. Horrified by what he’d produced, Geppetto confined the wooden boy he’d dubbed Pinocchio to the house until, unable to bear its pleas to do what little boys do, he set his creation free which is the last he saw of him. It’s the search for Pinocchio that’s landed Geppetto in his peculiar position, deep in the gut of the sea monster where one day is much the same as another with only his life and thwarted loves to contemplate, his son to fret about and madness to fend off as the candle supply wanes.
I am writing this account, in another man’s book, by candlelight, inside the belly of a fish
Carey’s reimagining of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio from Gepetto’s perspective is characteristically idiosyncratic, complete with hallucinatory lovers. He weaves his fantastical, poignant tale around line drawings and photographs, some of images of what appear to be found objects. Like all fairy tales, it has a message about parenthood, loss and the need for connection, rounded off with that classic trope – redemption. Carey finishes his tale with an Afterword in which another lonely father expresses his compassion for the remains of a man found in the carcass of a monstrous sea creature, washed ashore in Maine, whose memory he chooses to honour by putting his handiwork and story on display. I wasn’t at all sure what to expect when I began reading his novella but I think it’s likely that with Carey that’s part of the enjoyment.
Gallic Books: London 9781910477700 144 pages Hardback
I never got around to reading Little but you make me wish I had. From how you describe it, I do really like the sound of this new (shorter) novel so I think I might read this first and then go back to reading Little.
Delighted to hear that, Eric. They’re both such different books but I suspect that’s typical of Carey. Such an original author!
I loved Little, even though parts of it horrified me. I’ll definitely give this one a go.
Pleased to hear that, April. Little was such an original novel as is this one.
What a very interesting writer! I just took a quick online peak at his work–as you say, he seems almost impossible to categorize. I’m not sure if I’m ready for little, or even this one, but I’m seriously considering Observatory Mansions, his debut novel.
He’s extrordinary! Original is an over-used word but he really is. I’ve yet to read Observatory Mansions. Must add it to my list.
I think this sounds wonderful Susan. I have Little but haven’t read it yet, so might start there, but this really seems charming.
Carey’s a one-off, Cathy. You’ve a treat in store with Little. It’ll make an excellent winter read.
I loved Little so much. After I read it I thought whatever he writes next I’ll buy so I must get my hands on this asap!
Little was wonderful, wasn’t it. I hope you enjoy this one, too, Victoria.
I’ve not read either Little or this, but I must confess they sound fab! 😀
Of the two, Little is my favourite but this one’s excellent, too. Hard to beat either for sheer invention!
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This sounds really weird an interesting. I think I’ll have to read this one!
He’s a very unusual (and talented) writer!
I love books that are a little off the beaten path. I just saw this one on Rebecca’s blog as well and have already added it to my list. It also qualifies for Novellas in November, whether you intended it to or not! 🙂
I know, and I posted another today that falls into that bracket. Luck not planning…
This sounds everything I was hoping for from Carey. I left Little to languish on my shelf for a while, much like you did, Susan, and read it with one of the book groups I’m in. I pre-ordered this one and am tempted to try and sneak it in for Novella November. (Don’t quote me on that, though!)
I’ll keep schtum! I hope you enjoy it, Kath. Carey has such an idiosyncratic imagination.