The Destiny of Nathalie X and Other Stories.

Toronto, ON, Canada Viking Penguin, 1995. Hardcover First Ed; First Printing indicated. First Ed; First Printing indicated. Near Fine in Near Fine DJ: Both book and DJ show only minute indications of use. Book shows shows mild shelfwear along bottom edge of boards; barely discernible spine lean, though binding remains perfectly secure; text clean. DJ shows mild rubbing to sheen; very light wear to extremities; price unclipped; mylar-protected. Overall, very close to 'As New'. NOT a Remainder. NOT a Book-Club Edition. NOT an Ex-Library copy. 8vo. 199pp. Hardback with DJ. The author of The Blue Afternoon and Brazzaville Beach confirms his mastery of story with this wide-ranging collection. Traveling from Lisbon and London to contemporary Hollywood, from World War I to the present, these stories are singular and eclectic, each wholly distinct from the other. Their range of reference is also sweeping and varied, from Ludwig Wittgenstein to David Hockney, burgeoning fascism to burgeoning capitalism, foreign languages to Hollywood-speak, an imaginary Brazil to cinéma vérité. Their tone covers the spectrum from despair to high comedy. The true constants are Boyd's sharp eye and multifaceted prose. Whatever the refracting device, Mr. Boyd's ability to zero in on ordinary human foibles and woes--daydream delusions, cultural dislocations, emotional smash-ups--is swift and sure.... his eccentric wit and restless intelligence exert a powerful appeal.