Tennyson's Gift [Hardcover]

Lynne Truss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 4, 1996

This is a comical novel based on some real events that happened on the Isle of Wight in the summer of 1864, revolving around Tennyson, Ellen Terry, Julia Margaret Cameron and Edward Lear. The book examines the fictional relationships and the love triangles that develop between these individuals.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A comic novel of subtle distinction! A richly entertaining book, and at times a very moving one' The Times 'An enormously entertaining novel, with some terrific writing throughout! a fast-moving farce which allows her sideswipes at the foibles of the famous. It is a delicious confection with some marvellous one-liners' Sunday Telegraph '[A] wonderfully inventive jeu d'esprit! This epic of the Isle of Wight's literary apogee is virtually the perfect summer book. No deck-chair will be complete without it' Independent 'An enormously entertaining novel, with terrific writing throughout.' Sunday Telegraph 'A rollicking read. It is mischievous, light-hearted and fun' Literary Review 'Terrific! 'Tennyson's Gift' is witty, surprising, oddly compassionate and hugely assured.' Sunday Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Lynne Truss is one of Britain's best-loved comic writers and is the author of the worldwide bestsellers Eats, Shoots & Leaves and Talk to the Hand. She reviews for the Sunday Times and writes regularly for radio. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hamish Hamilton Ltd (July 4, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0241135214
• ISBN-13: 978-0241135211
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,601,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynne Truss is a writer and journalist who started out as a literary editor with a blue pencil and then got sidetracked. The author of three novels and numerous radio comedy dramas, she spent six years as the television critic of The Times of London, followed by four (rather peculiar) years as a sports columnist for the same newspaper. She won Columnist of the Year for her work for Women's Journal. Lynne Truss also hosted Cutting a Dash, a popular BBC Radio 4 series about punctuation. She now reviews books for the Sunday Times of London and is a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4. She lives in Brighton, England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Alice's Adventures on the Island, February 10, 2012

By 

Jacob King "Of all that is written I love onl... (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tennyson's Gift (Paperback)

This book is about madness, celebrity and obsession. An eccentric mathematician and photographer takes a holiday to the Isle of Wight in the summer of 1964 with the hope of photographing the poet laureate just as his first novel, written for children, is about to become the greatest literary sensation of his era. There he encounters any number of strange people all suffering from their own obsessions and delusions.

All of the characters in this book are based on Real People from the wonderful Julia Margaret Cameron to Ellen Terry, Lorenzo and Jessie Fowler, G F Watts and of course Tennyson. Historians might quibble about the accuracy of the portrayals especially of stuttering do-do Dodgson as Truss overplays his social awkwardness and interest in little girls, though to great comic effect. The era however is evoked wonderfully.

A lesser contemporary novelist would have had Lewis Carrol solve a murder or fight vampires Truss involves him in a nosensical farce that echoes his own novel and the result is hliarious. If you are a fan of English comedy especially class based comedies like those of Wilde or Wodehouse you will love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!, January 9, 2012

By 

Emanon - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tennyson's Gift (Kindle Edition)

All the characters in 'Alice in Wonderland' living in the same seaside town and the most delightful is the author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) who to his horror is pursued relentlessly with a view to matrimony by the little girl he admires. And the woman who is obsessed by Alfred Lord Tennyson has her white roses painted red (his preference). If you thought the characters in his story about Alice were unbalanced these are even crazier and much more amusing. Great work, Lynne Truss!