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The Meaning of NightSnagging.org In association with Amazon.co.ukOnline Shop | Property Guides | Kitchen & Home | Garden Tools | Power Tools | Consumer Electronics Get the Snagging Checklist Here!  List Price: £6.99 Amazon.co.uk's Price: £5.59 You Save: £1.40 (20%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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Binding: PaperbackEAN: 9780719568374 ISBN: 0719568374 Label: John Murray Manufacturer: John Murray Number Of Pages: 608 Publication Date: July 12, 2007 Publisher: John Murray Studio: John Murray Related Items:
Editorial Review: Amazon.co.uk:
We queried our top 100 reviewers and asked them to read The Meaning of Night and share their thoughts. We've included these early reviews below in the order they were received. For the sake of space, we've only included a brief excerpt of each reviewer's response, but each review is available for reading in its entirety by clicking the "Read the review" link. Enjoy! John Chippindale: "After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper . . ." If the opening sentence of this book does not demand the attention of the reader, I don't know what will. If you never pick up another book, you must read this one." Read John Chippindale's review Budge Burgess: "With 600 pages of narrative, Latin chapter headings, literary and scholarly allusions, compendious footnotes, and the conceit that this is, indeed, a Victorian testament bequeathed to posterity by its hero and consequently written in an approximation of mid-19th century style, this is a weighty tome, and one which suffers from its art." Read Budge Burgess's review David Bryson: " It takes skill to recreate the atmosphere convincingly in the 21st century, and Michael Cox, biographer and editor of the great ghost-story writer M R James, seems to me never to hit a wrong note." Read David Bryson's review Kona: "This is an exciting read, full of period details and charm. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction." Read Kona's review Russell Clarke: "Goes against the flow of the usual revenge motif in culture and art and is all the more poignant and compulsive for it. A highly recommended read." Read Russell Clarke's review Andrew Butterfield: "I'm not usually a fan of this genre, and didn't expect too much of The Meaning of Night, but I must confess I was drawn into the story and helped along by the easy yet literary writing style."Read Andrew Butterfield's review N. C. Samaniego: "The story itself is ingenious, building hopes of a satisfactory outcome, and the unexpected final twist prepares for a dramatic showdown." Read N. C. Samaniego's review Bruce Loveitt: "If you love the 19th century....the times and the literature of the period....you will love this book. It is both exciting and touching, appealing to both the intellect and the heart. A winner." Read Bruce Loveitt's review Peter Kenney: "The story is marked by clever twists and the writing is excellent. I recommend this book without reservation to any reader who likes a fascinating tale packed with intrigue, romance and robust characters." Read Peter Kenney's review Samantha Banwell: "Although not a fan of this book, I cannot help but admire its descriptive detail of Victorian England." Read Samantha Banwell's review M. J Leonard: "Meticulously researched, forbiddingly atmospheric and also remarkably secretive, Cox writes with a sharp eye for period detail. The novel is a strange and heady brew of social convention, the desolation of a lonely, half-mad man and the restrictions of a society who continually refuses to acknowledge him.!" Read M.J. Leonard's review Amanda Richards: "This is a big book, a huge book, a massive tome - it is one of those books that would cause grievous bodily harm if dropped upon the unsuspecting foot. But don't let that deter you - from the first confession to the final gripping chapter you'll find yourself a tad reluctant to place your bookmark between the pages, even when the midnight hour has ticked away and a new work day is approaching in mere hours." Read Amanda Richard's review Anders P. Jensen: "The occationally odd names of people and places may seem a bit too cute at first (Phoebus Rainsford Daunt?!), and I haven't read all of the `editor's notes', but Cox is easily forgiven, because he can write." Read Anders P. Jensen's review A. Skudder: "Nearly everything I would like to say about this book would involve giving away something, and a great deal of the enjoyment of the story is in experiencing the sudden changes of direction without warning, right the way up to the very brave ending. If you want to know what that ending is and why it is so brave you will have to read it yourself, but you are unlikely to regret it." Read A. Skudder's review Daniel Jolley: "If you harbor the slightest appreciation for the unparalleled power and beauty of the written word, you will want to immerse yourself in the pages of The Meaning of Night." Read Daniel Jolley's review Themis-Athena: "It reportedly took a tragedy in Michael Cox's life to transform an unfinished manuscript begun thirty years earlier into a novel finally and deservedly now making its way into print. I very much hope it won't take another tragedy (or another thirty years) for his next book to be published." Read Themis-Athena's review The Fragrant Wookiee: "An intriguing novel which will completely immerse you in its twisting subtleties and which you will be very glad you decided to give a try. I know I was.." Read the Fragrant Wookiee's review Average Rating:
 Rating:  - superbIt took me a little while to get around to reading this. I love Victorian fiction but was somewhat overwhelmed by all the hype surrounding the book at the time - and kept back from it until I felt that I could approach the novel on my own terms. The text alone - not the website, the adverts, etc. (And then there was the inevitable backlash against the hype, tearing the book and the author down.) So, freed of all those distractions by not paying them any attention, I found 'The Meaning of Night' beguiling, unputdownable and a damn good read. I'm not going to add to all the previous superlatives used in the positive reviews here - I just wanted to say that this fulfilled everything I desire in a book. One of the best books I have ever read actually. As George Orwell once said in his essay on Dickens, the author's characters are not ones you can talk to or have conversations in your head with. Edward Glyver/Glapthorn/Duport however is an unconventional anti-hero - but you could imagine having a meaningful discourse with him.. And Emily Carteret is the seeming antithesis of a Dickensian heroine. Erudite, learned, discerning, with an inner mental life. Well...though... Cox's writing style is rich and textured. There was nothing I skipped through - I read every word. His descriptions of Evenwood as some sort of faery demesne were a highpoint of the novel for me. Some writers can do architectural atmosphere, some can't. Cox knows how to conjure up a time and a place to great effect. I am looking forward now, with much eagerness, to reading 'The Glass Of Time'. Rating: - The Meaning of Night by Michael CoxI am a Wilkie Collins / Mary Braddon /Sheridan le Fanu / Dickens fan. This book is, in my mind, equally as readable as any of them. I was not able to put the book down as almost every page was a cliff hanger, and to Mr Cox's credit there was no bad language and / or scenes of gratuitous sex. He is able to write superbly well without having to resort to the novelist's gutter. That may not be to everyone's taste, but I find it refreshing that good stories are still capable of being written without the need for obscenities. I feel that 5 stars are fully justified, and I look forward to reading his next novel. Rating: - a really satisfying readThis was such a good read on just about every level. As many other reviewers have pointed out the atmosphere is so vivid of the time that you can almost feel enveloped in the fog swirling round you. The book positively draws you into the life of Edward Glyver. The characters are all very well portrayed and the author has a distinct flair in giving one little insights and hints. I do not want to say too much more at the risk of ruining this extremely enjoyable read. Rating: - Enthralling!What a fabulous book - the best one I've read for a while. Michael Cox effortlessly takes the reader into Victorian England. The book is meticulously researched, and is crammed full of period detail. There are so many twists and turns as we follow one man's obsession; that as the reader we feel nothing but sympathy for a self-confessed murderer is testament to the author's skill. I couldn't put the book down, and am miffed that I have finished it - its one of those books you wish wouldn't end. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Rating: - The best book I have read in yearsNeed I say more? This book has everything: convincing and well developed characters, a flawless plot, and more classical and literary references than you could shake a stick at. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone even vaguely interested in literature, history or British cultural heritage although if you are have a craving for an infectious thriller, this will probably do the trick as well. The best book I have read in years, the only regret is that it is not 1000 pages longer.  Try searching the Internet for "The Meaning of Night" or Ebay for "The Meaning of Night". You might also be interested in the following great products:
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