Synopses & Reviews
In
Uncle Rudolf, two-time Booker-Prize finalist Paul Bailey has crafted an exquisite, profoundly moving portrayal of a charismatic and popular performer in World War II-era Europe, and the orphaned nephew he takes under his wing.
Seventy-year-old man Andre reflects back on his life, beginning with his Jewish childhood in Romania on the eve of World War II. Andre's father, in a desperate effort to save him from the coming holocaust, hands him over to his captivating uncle Rudolf, an internationally famous singer of popular operettas. Rudolf is a sublimely gifted lyric tenor, a dashing leading man who is the object of many women's affections-but also an artist who lives in the shadow of his own unachieved potential as an opera star. Rudolf takes the boy to back to London, renames him Andrew, turns all his attention and sardonic humor upon him, and gradually sculpts him into a gentleman.
Vivid, often lighthearted scenes of Andrew's worldly life with Rudolf are intertwined with the unfolding secrets of his forgotten past as Andre, which have shadowed his otherwise happy life. Told in matchless prose, Uncle Rudolf captures in fine detail the mood of 1940s Europe--and reveals the emotions of a man whose achievement falls short of his brilliant promise. It is a wise, knowing, elegant story about the sacrifices we make for those we love.
Synopsis
PRAISE FOR KITTY & VIRGIL: "Crackles with repartee and literary allusion... Compelling."--WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD"Luminous...told with empathy, elegance, and unfailing delight in language."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Synopsis
Advance praise for
Uncle Rudolf:
"An exceptionally tender and vivid account of a little boy's expulsion from his own country and language. Tremendous."--Beryl Bainbridge, author of Master Georgie and Birthday Boys
"I read it in one sitting and think it echoing and beautiful; so graciously pitched, perfectly poised, balanced on its hair-breadth between grief and delight. It moved me terribly. I loved it." --Ali Smith, author of Hotel World and Free Love
"Andrew himself is an appealing narrator: honest, troubled, perceptive. It is the clarity of his vision that gives the novel its crisp and satisfying accuracy, and makes it one of Paul Bailey's best books." --Penelope Lively, author of The Photograph
Praise for Paul Bailey's previous book, Kitty & Virgil:
"Crackles with repartee and literary allusion...Compelling. "
--The Washington Post Book World
"Luminous... told with empathy, elegance, and unfailing delight in language."--Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
A two-time Booker Prize shortlisted author pens this haunting novel about the relationship between a man and his talented and eccentric uncle.
About the Author
Paul Bailey is the author of seven previous novels, including the critically acclaimed
Kitty & Virgil;
At the Jerusalem, which won the Somerset Maugham award;
Peter Smart's Confessions and
Gabriel's Lament, both of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He lives in London.