Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Narrowing Stream
 
See larger image
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Narrowing Stream [Paperback]

John Mortimer (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Paperback --  
Mass Market Paperback --  

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The life of a faithful wife and mother is unsettled after a mysterious man implicates her husband in a young woman's murder. PW suggested that this early novel, "though elegantly written, proves ultimately understated and tenuous rather than emotionally gripping."
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Set in the English countryside, this is the story of one summer's day in the life of Julia Swinton, a middle-class housewife and mother of three young children. Though her marriage is stable, she feels that her life is becoming narrower and that it is too late to change. The day's events pivot around the death of a local woman whom Julia has never met and Julia's odd encounter with the woman's brother. What she learns that day has a disturbing effect on her relationship with her husband, and the two of them must learn to deal with complex and uncomfortable feelings that press and sting just beneath the surface of conscious awareness. First published in England in 1954, this novel is notable for its flawless plotting, superb characterization, and pellucid style, enriched by Mortimer's characteristic subtlety of perception, depth of thought, and keen wit.
- Bryan Aubrey, Fairfield, Ia.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; First edition & printing in this form edition (December 7, 1989)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140104984
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140104981
  • Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,931,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

1 Review
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Novel, December 3, 2010
By 
P. Schumacher (atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Those who have only read Mortimer's Rumpole stories may not know what a fine non-Rumpole novelist he is.

His "Paradise Postponed" (Titmuss) trilogy is quite amusing and incisive.

But this early book, "The Narrowing Stream," may be even better.

The prose is limpid and precise. It's amazing how much Mortimer conveys with so few words.

He is sort of the anti-Henry James. James spews words like a geyser to nail down the tiniest (not very important) nuance--leaving the reader stunned, soaked, almost drowned in words.

Mortimer is the opposite. He is amazing at conveying feeling and character with the slightest touch. In this way he is like Shakespeare.

This novel is character-driven, but deals with all kinds of themes: fidelity, aging, boredom, death, the ever-present Oedipal threat of younger generations, the life of fantasy.

An extraordinary, moving, somber but uplifting book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   


Listmania!


Create a Listmania! list

So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:



i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...