When I was a young woman in my 30's, I discovered Mary Lavin's short stories, and it was love at first read. This book, Lavin's first full-length novel, left me a bit cold. The young protagonist, Gabriel, is raised by his two aunts and their youngest sister--Gabriel's mother--in relative affluence in a small Irish village. Aunt Theresa is angry and inflexible and rules the house with an iron hand. Gabriel is acquiescent until he falls for the young housemaid Onny. Lavin allows Gabriel to go on for many pages ruminating on ethics, in a style typical of a 1945 novel, one that is, however, somewhat out of sync with the sensibilities of the 21st century reader. I find Lavin much more effective when employing the pithiness of narrative that a short story demands than in the expansiveness of a sprawling novel.

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Details

Bookseller: Vintage-Books (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: MASTER055402I
Title: THE HOUSE IN CLEWE STREET
Author: LAVIN, MARY; With a New Afterword by MARTIN, AUGUSTINE
Format/Binding: TRADE PAPERBACK.
Book Condition: Used - G IN WRAPS. LIGHTLY WORN. SOILED. Pages: 472.
Quantity Available: 1
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: VIRAGO PRESS
Place of Publication: LONDON
Date Published: 1987
Keywords: LITERATURE

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Vintage-Books

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If no shipping method is requested, we will ship via media mail (US Only). Washington state residents MUST add sales tax as per your local rate. All shipments are packed as carefully as possible. Larger books will cost more to ship Returns: You must notify us and return the book to us within 10 business days to receive a refund, with the item the same condition as when shipped. Shipping costs will not be refunded.

About the Seller

Vintage-Books

This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Biblio member since 2004

Vancouver, Washington

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About Vintage-Books

Welcome to Vintage Books, an independent family owned bookstore and mail order business. We have been serving book-lovers and auto enthusiasts for 35 years. We've always put our priority where our hearts are: the best book selection we can offer and the most knowledgeable, dedicated staff. Our staff are all passionate readers-- the diversity of our preferences can be seen on our "staff choices" shelves. We work hard to make your book buying experience easy, and treat your books with the care we would treat our own. If you were to visit our physical store, you will find us to be pretty low key. Plain pine bookcases, old rugs, old chairs and a small couch in the children's area. Blank vertical surfaces are covered with old ads, sayings, booklists and displayed books. We are unable to list our extensive selection of used paperbacks, some of the automotive items and hardbacks on-line, because our inventory changes daily.

Glossary

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Soiled: Generally refers to minor discoloration or staining.
Trade Paperback: Used to indicate any paperback book that is larger than a mass-market paperback and is often more similar in size to a hardcover...
G: Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted. (as defined by AB...