New York:: Viking, , 1985.. Hardcover -. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. (remainder mark, edgewear to dj). 2nd printing. The third novel, one of his shortest and darkest, by this important American writer. His second novel, J. R. won the National Book Award (as did his fourth novel, 'A Frolic of His Own') and Gaddis had already received the MacArthur award by the time this was published. This novel "centers on the tempestuous marriage of an heiress and a beleaguered Vietnam veteran out for the main chance.. From their 'carpenter gothic' rented house on the Hudson River, Paul sets himself up as a media consultant for Reverend Ude, an evangelistic preacher mounting a grand crusade against the forces of evil" - one that suits a mining combine bidding to take over a major ore strike on the site of Ude's African radio station and mission. 262 pp.

Synopsis

This story of raging comedy and despair centers on the tempestuous marriage of an heiress and a Vietnam veteran. From their "carpenter gothic" rented house, Paul sets himself up as a media consultant for Reverend Ude, an evangelist mounting a grand crusade that conveniently suits a mining combine bidding to take over an ore strike on the site of Ude's African mission. At the still center of the breakneck action--revealed in Gaddis's inimitable virtuoso dialoge—is Paul's wife, Liz, and over it all looms the shadowy figure of McCandless, a geologist from whom Paul and Liz rent their house. As Paul mishandles the situation, his wife takes the geologist to her bed and a fire and aborted assassination occur; Ude issues a call to arms as harrowing as any Jeremiad--and Armageddon comes rapidly closer. Displaying Gaddis's inimitable virtuoso dialogue, and his startling treatments of violence and sexuality, Carpenter's Gothic "shows again that Gaddis is among the first rank of contemporary American writers" (Malcolm Bradbury, The Washington Post Book World ).

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Bookseller: Bookfever.com, IOBA (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 38649
Title: CARPENTER'S GOTHIC.
Author: Gaddis, William, (1922-1998.)
Format/Binding: Hardcover -
Book Condition: Used - Near fine in a very good dust jacket. (remainder mark, edgewear to dj)
Jacket Condition: very good
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0670697931
ISBN 13: 9780670697939
Publisher: Viking,
Place of Publication: New York:
Date Published: 1985.
Keywords: africa setting, new york state,
Bookseller catalogs: Modern first editions;

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Jacket: Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...