The Porcupine [Hardcover]

Julian Barnes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0517117770 | ISBN-13: 978-0517117774

In his latest novel, Julian Barnes, author of Talking It Over and A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters, trains his laser-bright prose on the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe.

Stoyo Petkanov, the deposed Party leader, is placed on trial for crimes that range from corruption to political murder. Petkanov's guilt -- and the righteousness of his opponents -- would seem to be self-evident. But, as brilliantly imagined by Barnes, the trial of this cunning and unrepentant dictator illuminates the shadowy frontier between the rusted myths of the Communist past and a capitalist future in which everything is up for grabs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Interesting but finally bloodless, this novel finds the deposed Communist president of an Eastern European country put on trial for the crimes he committed during his 33-year iron rule. (Oct.) Also in October, Vintage International will reissue Barnes's Staring at the Sun . ($10 *-74820-2 ), which tracks the relentlessly curious Jean Serjeant from her childhood in 1920s England to her flight into the sun in the year 2021.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

The upheavals that have recenty rocked Eastern Europe provide the inspiration for Barnes's ( Flaubert's Parrot , LJ 4/1/85) latest novel, an intelligent, if strangely passionless, examination into the nature of political reality. It focuses primarily on the interaction between two men, former Communist party head Stoyo Petkanov, for 33 years the leader of his nation, and Peter Solinsky, newly appointed chief prosecutor for "justice." Rather than adopt a meek, defensive posture, the recalcitrant party chief thrusts out some barbs of his own, suggesting that the new leadership is no less susceptible to lies and hypocrisy than his own government was. In any given circumstance, Barnes implies, it is simply fate that determines who becomes the accuser and who the accused. Unfortunately, Barnes's success in exploring the mind-set of a Marxist-Leninist hard-liner must be set against the story's overall pallidness. A short, interesting work for those not driven by a need for lots of action or high drama. For larger academic and public collections.
- David W. Henderson, Eckerd Coll. Lib., St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (June 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517117770
• ISBN-13: 978-0517117774
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,958,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julian Barnes is the author of nine novels, including Metroland, Flaubert's Parrot, A History of the World in 10 ½ Chapters, England, England and Arthur and George, and two collections of short stories, Cross Channel and The Lemon Table.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars don't miss it, November 10, 2000

By 

M. Ioveva "mashuni" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Porcupine (Paperback)

I discovered this book accidentally, just because I love Barnes' way of writing. I had no idea what it was about, no idea if it were good or bad, truthful or not. I'm from Bulgaria, the country so well depicted in this book, and I'd never imagined that a foreigner could've observed and captured so well the difficulties and sufferings that were endured during the changes. The book is quite objective and gives you a realistic view of our capital, our people, our lives. If you want to know anything about Bulgaria, this is where you should start.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes you into the experience of the collapse of East. Eurp., May 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Porcupine (Paperback)

You've heard about the economic and political difficulties faced by people in Eastern Europe following the great collapse. You've seen some of the people on the evening news. How often have you thought that being in the midst of it for a week would be a much more profound experience than a "City Slickers" vacation.

Julian Barnes' book, "The Porcupine" is your chance to have that adventure. Go far beyond a tourist excursion into the heart of the experience.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty but scary look at show trial phenomena, July 18, 2003

By 

Ian Muldoon (Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Porcupine (Hardcover)

If theatre, politics, philosophy are an interest then this short novel will appeal to you. Trials can be fascinating theatre and the purpose of political show trials is partly to provide some relief or satisfaction for the suffering public out for revenge. Mr Barnes is outstanding at getting inside the heads of the protagonists, and some of the funniest moments are the monologues of the accused Petkanov. But he also provides witty asides into fashion, folklore, and history. A great read.