Description
Book SynopsisSet in nineteenth-century Oxford, and shot through with a powerful sense of magic, Elizabeth Garner''s new novel will appeal both to fans of historical fiction and to the huge Susanna Clarke/Philip Pullman fanbase.
In nineteenth-century Oxford, an extraordinary child is born - Edgar Jones, a porter''s son with a magical talent. Though his father cannot see beyond his academic slowness, his abilities as a metalworker and designer are quickly noticed, and become a source of tension within the family. When Edgar comes to the attention of a maverick professor at work on a museum of the natural sciences, Edgar is at once plucked from obscurity and plunged into the heart of a debate which threatens to tear apart the university. Edgar''s position is a dangerous one - will he be able to control the rebellious spirit that fires his inventiveness, but threatens to ruin him, and to break up his family once and for all?
Trade Review'Garner's imagination is compelling and the novel has real narrative drive... enjoyable and eloquent' Helen Dunmore, The Times * The Times *
'Darkly atmospheric, Garner's clean, spare prose conjures a strong ,simple narrative... a delight to curl up with' Metro * Metro *
'A sad, sweet tale of the love and misunderstanding between a father and son who dare to aim for a higher place in the world' * Daily Mail *
'THE INGENIOUS EDGAR JONES offers a confabulation of effects: in an atmospheric 19th century Oxford that would play host to Darwin's arguments and Lewis Carroll's dreamy nonsense, the child savant, Edgar JOnes, builds, burns, and soars. Elizabeth Garner's American debut is ingenuity itself, a winner. I love it' * Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED *
