A searing and visionary novel set in war-torn 1970s Beirut, from an author praised for his "fierce poetic originality" (Boston Globe) and "uncompromising vision" (Colm Tóibín).
On a ravaged street overlooking a cemetery in Beirut’s Christian enclave, we meet an eccentric young man named Pavlov, the son of a local undertaker. When his father meets a sudden and untimely death, Pavlov is approached by a colorful member of the mysterious Hellfire Society―an anti-religious sect that, among many rebellious and often salacious activities, arranges secret burial for outcasts who have been denied last rites because of their religion or sexuality.
Pavlov agrees to take on his father’s work for the society, and over the course of the novel he becomes a survivor-chronicler of his embattled and fading community at the heart of Lebanon’s civil war. His new role introduces him to an unconventional cast of characters, including a father searching for his son’s body, a mysterious woman who takes up residence on Pavlov’s stairs after a bombing, and the flamboyant head of the Hellfire Society, El-Marquis.
Deftly combining comedy with tragedy, gritty reality with surreal absurdity, Beirut Hellfire Society asks: What, after all, can be preserved in the face of certain change and imminent death? The answer is at once propulsive, elegiac, outrageous, profane, and transcendent―and a profoundly moving fable on what it means to live through war.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.95
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: New. This is an advance reading, soft cover, uncorrected proof copy. These editions are issued prior to publication in small numbers and often are marked as first editions. FULL COLOR COVER. Seller Inventory # 004374
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9781324002918
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!. Seller Inventory # OTF-S-9781324002918
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9781324002918
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 33954812-n
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLIING23Mar2411530053807
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_1324002913
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon1324002913
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ00DVCW_ns
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. On a ravaged street overlooking a cemetery in Beiruts Christian enclave, we meet an eccentric young man named Pavlov, the son of a local undertaker. When his father meets a sudden and untimely death, Pavlov is approached by a colorful member of the mysterious Hellfire Societyan anti-religious sect that, among many rebellious and often salacious activities, arranges secret burial for outcasts who have been denied last rites because of their religion or sexuality. Pavlov agrees to take on his fathers work for the society, and over the course of the novel he becomes a survivor-chronicler of his embattled and fading community at the heart of Lebanons civil war. His new role introduces him to an unconventional cast of characters, including a father searching for his sons body, a mysterious woman who takes up residence on Pavlovs stairs after a bombing, and the flamboyant head of the Hellfire Society, El-Marquis. Deftly combining comedy with tragedy, gritty reality with surreal absurdity, Beirut Hellfire Society asks: What, after all, can be preserved in the face of certain change and imminent death? The answer is at once propulsive, elegiac, outrageous, profane, and transcendentand a profoundly moving fable on what it means to live through war. A searing and visionary novel set in war-torn 1970s Beirut, from an author praised for his "fierce poetic originality" (Boston Globe) and "uncompromising vision" (Colm Toibin). Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781324002918