About this title: From the award-winning author of 'Clear 'comes an epic novel of startling originality. If History is just a sick joke which keeps on repeating itself, then who exactly might be telling it, and why? Could it be John Scogin, Edward IV's infamous court jester, whose favourite pastime was to burn people alive -- for a laugh? Or could it be Andrew ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Acceptable. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: HarperPerennial
Date Published: 3/3/2008
ISBN-13:9780007193639ISBN:0007193637
Description: Fine. 0007193637 New & Unread Book with Remainder Marked-May Have Slight Handling Wear From Bookstore Shelf-Instock For Immediate Shipping. read more
Description: Fine. 0061575216 Ships next business day. NEW/UNREAD! ! ! Text is Clean and Unmarked! --Be Sure to Compare Seller Feedback and Ratings before Purchasing--Has a small black line on bottom/exterior edge of pages. May have light shelf wear to cover from storage, if any. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Date Published: 2007-12-01
ISBN-13:9780061575211ISBN:0061575216
Description: New. New, unread, unused & in perfect condition with no damaged or missing pages. Collectible pre-release book with different cover. Great Copy. Ships Lightning Fast. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 5/31/2007
ISBN-13:9780007270170ISBN:0007270178
Description: Fine. 0007270178 New & Unread Book with Remainder Marked-May Have Slight Handling Wear From Bookstore Shelf-Instock For Immediate Shipping. read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Harpercollins
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780007193639ISBN:0007193637
Description: Good. Cover has marks, bumping, price sticker, tears, edgewear-Marks on edge-Bumped / creased pgs-Dents-Edgewear-Water damage-Few marks on pgs-Slightly cocked. read more
Description: Good. Publishers Overstock. A Good copy with a Remainder Mark and wear to the covers and the extremities. Buy with confidence from an Independent Bookstore where the owners, a husband and wife team, have over 30 years of combined bookselling experience. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780007270170ISBN:0007270178
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780007810697ISBN:0007810695
Description: Good. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780007270170ISBN:0007270178
Description: Good. This is an EX LIBRARY copy with all the usual stamps, marks etc. The inside flysheet has been tidily removed. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: HarperPerennial
Date Published: 3/3/2008
ISBN-13:9780007193639ISBN:0007193637
Description: New. 0007193637 Brand New Book With Remainder Mark. May Have Slight Shelf Wear. In-Stock Now For Immediate Secure Packaging & Delivery wear on DJ. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: HarperPerennial
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780007193639ISBN:0007193637
Description: New. NEW-SHOP SOILED COPY-TRUSTED DEVON (UK) BASED SELLER-IN STOCK-SENT WITHIN 1 WORKING DAY-AVAILABLE BY EMAIL FOR QUERIES-NO QUIBBLE REFUND IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED- read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Perennial
Date Published: 2007-12-01
ISBN-13:9780061575211ISBN:0061575216
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780061575211. read more
"Charlie loves this, but I don't exactly know why. The 800-some pages move quickly enough, but after about 300 you get kind of tired of whatever disease has afflicted nearly all of the male characters in the novel, relegating them to constant confusion and forcing them to mentally repeat back, with a question mark attached, the end of every declarative statement that is made in their presence.
Every declarative statement?
Yes, just like that. Also, the font and formatting are annoying. Harrumph."
"Is there a first time for everything? This is the first time I've ever given up on a book halfway through. At first I thought she was being quirky and setting the scene, but I read up to page 405 and nothing had happened yet, the characters were neither interesting nor likeable, and her style of writing is unbelievably irritating - with sentences half-written, full of utterly meaningless interjections like "huh?", "eh?" "what?", "what?", "but...", "right...", "No!", "NO!!", and repeating everything that is said in the form of a question.
A Joker? The joke is on us. Nicola Barker is probably laughing her ass off at home looking at good reviews from people who read her brain vomit."
"This was an intriguing but ultimately baffling book. A small group of disparate but interconnected people in a small town in England all seem, to varying degrees, to be obsessed or even possessed by the medieval past, and in particular a jester named John Scogin (presumably the "Darkmans" of the title). This part of the book is puzzling and spooky/weird and even unnecessary, as these folks are interesting enough without the supernatural/psychological weirdness. It took a while to get used to the style of the book, in which thoughts (which usually consist of "uh..", "huh?", "f**k!" and so on) are set apart in italics from the main action. I remained somewhat annoyed by this throughout the book. Otherwise, this was an often hilarious and compelling read - although the ending, while not exactly anticlimactic, left many unanswered questions."
"This book was a challenge in some ways to read. I enjoyed the language, the characters with all their flaws but the density of what was occurring made it at times difficult to appreciate all that was happening.
I was initially disappointed with the ending but allowing time to brood over the book, that reaction faded. Life is never really tidied up into nice bits of endings and the fact that each of the characters has a direction to go which is not explored makes you wanting more of the story.
It would have been good to see the story of John evolve a bit earlier in the novel as it is this character's motivation that drives everything and everyone.
Interesting read, a book that I am glad I did read and a story I will mull over for some time."
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