Synopses & Reviews
In Josef kvorecký's first novel written in English, the narrator lives in two radically dissimilar worlds: the exile world of the post-Communist Czech Republic, where old feuds, treacherous betrayals, and friendships persevere; and the comfortable, albeit bland world of middle-class Canada. Murder intrudes upon both of these worlds. One features a young female sleuth, a college beauty queen, jealousy in the world of academia, and a neat conclusion. The other is a tragedy caused by evil social forces and philosophies, in which a web of lies insidiously entangles Sidonia, the narrator's wife. A brilliantly stylish tour de force in which the bright, sarcastic comedy of one tale sharply contrasts with the dark, elegiac bitterness of the other, Two Murders in My Double Life confirms Skvorecky's reputations as one of the most versatile, engaging, and compassionate writers.
Review
"Told with much humor in an informal, improvisational style, this short novel interweaves two stories in a narrative that is absorbing and enjoyable." Library Journal
Review
"kvorecký's portrait of the writer unable to minister to the psychic needs of a loved one while absorbed in watching human nature is brilliantly amusing." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"An odd but thoroughly readable combination of amusement and grimness." Booklist
Synopsis
In Josef Škvorecký's first novel written in English, the narrator lives in two radically dissimilar worlds: the exile world of the post-Communist Czech Republic where old feuds, treacherous betrayals, and friendships persevere; and the comfortable, albeit bland world of middle-class Canada. Murder intrudes upon both world. One features a young female sleuth, a college beauty queen, jealousy in the world of academia, and a neat conclusion. The other is a tragedy caused by evil social forces and philosophies, in which a web of lies insidiously entangles Sidonia, the narrator's wife. A brilliantly stylish tour de force in which the bright, sarcastic comedy of one tale sharply contrasts with the dark, elegiac bitterness of the other,
Two Murders in My Double Life confirms Škvorecký's reputation as a versatile and engaging writer.
About the Author
kvorecký is the winner of the 1980 Neustadt International Prize for Literature and the 1984 Governor General's Award in Canada.