Under Venus [Hardcover]

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

America in the late 1960s -- a turbulent sea of change. Most Americans find themselves buffeted by winds of turmoil or swept away in the currents of destiny, and history. And Elliot Denmark, brilliant composer and expatriate, returns home to find himself in the eye of the storm. Back in his Midwest hometown, Elliot is caught between the urgent claims of the past and the conflicting, confusingly uncertain demands of art, morality, family, and his own divided emotions. Like vivid dreams, other people's stories invade and enrich his life, and like dreams they suggest a powerful but enigmatic meaning.

Under the light of Venus, nothing is as it once was, nothing is as it seems. A political issue divides the city; a haunting old love commandingly reasserts itself; enemies old and new assail Elliot on all sides. Along with the rest of America, Elliot Denmark must make the choices that will define the rest of his life.

Subtly shaded and ripely evocative, Peter Straub's long unavailable second novel resonates with the gothic impulses he would soon acknowledge as his own and develop into mastery. Straub's legion of fans will be delighted by this early demonstration of his capacity for brilliant prose and dazzling imaginative complexity. UNDER VENUS is an unsettling novel of an unsettling time that, on its merits as the work of a young writer hell-bent on finding his voice, richly deserves restoration to print.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Straub set this 1985 nonhorror novel, his second, during the kaleidoscopic years of the late 1960s. Protagonist Elliot Denmark, a composer returning to his American roots after a four-year stay in Paris, finds himself torn between Midwestern tradition and his creative spirit. Though Straub has created a popular niche in the horror genre, fans might find this more straightforward story refreshing and rewarding. Stealth books are available only through the publisher online at www.stealthpress.com.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: Stealth Pr (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588810011
• ISBN-13: 978-1588810014
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel that is as original as it is entertaining, February 3, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Venus (Hardcover)

Back in his Midwest hometown, Elliot Denmark, a brilliant composer and expatriate, finds himself caught up between the urgent claims of the past and the conflicting, confusingly uncertain demands of art, morality, family, and his own divided emotions. A political issues divides the town; a haunting old love reasserts itself; old and new enemies assail Elliot everywhere he turns; and along with the rest of the country, Elliot must make choices that will define the remainder of his life. Under Venus is a sophisticated, masterfully crafted, and at times unsettling novel that is as original as it is entertaining.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straub's literary masterpiece, January 15, 2001

By 

Ronnie Andersen (Hershey, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Venus (Hardcover)

Intelligent & thought provoking. Peter Straub's early work is as impressive in quality as his later, more horror oriented, pieces. Class struggle & family struggles erupt, and family secrets come to light as a community goes through change, like a microcosm of America as it experienced change in the turbulent 60's.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved It, January 18, 2001

By 

Diana Horror - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Venus (Hardcover)

This is one of Straub's better works. Instead of horror he focuses on the workings of a family and the relationships of one man. It really made me stop and think about what's important in my life.