About the book
From the Booker Prize-winning author of Possession comes an ingenious novel about love and literary sleuthing: a dazzling fiction woven out of one man’s search for certainty.
“Elegant ... witty ... intelligent.” —The Washington Post
Here is the story of Phineas G. Nanson, a disenchanted graduate student who decides to escape the world of postmodern literary theory and immerse himself in the messiness of “real life” by writing a biography of a great biographer. In a series of adventures that are by turns intellectual and comic, scientific and sensual, Phineas tracks his subject to the deserts of Africa and the maelstrom of the Arctic. Along the way he comes to rely on two women, one of whom may be the guide he needs out of the dizzying labyrinth of his research and back into his own life. A tantalizing yarn of detection and desire, The Biographer’s Tale is a provocative look at “truth” in biography and our perennial quest for certainty.
Editions of The Biographer's Tale
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780375411144
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780701169459
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780375725081
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780099283935
- EBook
- ISBN 9780375413421
Read an Excerpt
From the Booker Prize-winning author of Possession comes an ingenious novel about love and literary sleuthing: a dazzling fiction woven out of one man’s search for certainty.
“Elegant ... witty ... intelligent.” —The Washington Post
Here is the story of Phineas G. Nanson, a disenchanted graduate student who decides to escape the world of postmodern literary theory and immerse himself in the messiness of “real life” by writing a biography of a great biographer. In a series of adventures that are by turns intellectual and comic, scientific and sensual, Phineas tracks his subject to the deserts of Africa and the maelstrom of the Arctic. Along the way he comes to rely on two women, one of whom may be the guide he needs out of the dizzying labyrinth of his research and back into his own life. A tantalizing yarn of detection and desire, The Biographer’s Tale is a provocative look at “truth” in biography and our perennial quest for certainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Biographer's Tale about?
From the Booker Prize-winning author of Possession comes an ingenious novel about love and literary sleuthing: a dazzling fiction woven out of one man’s search for certainty.
“Elegant ... witty ... intelligent.” —The Washington Post
Here is the story of Phineas G. Nanson, a disenchanted graduate student who decides to escape the world of postmodern literary theory and immerse himself in the messiness of “real life” by writing a biography of a great biographer. In a series of adventures that are by turns intellectual and comic, scientific and sensual, Phineas tracks his subject to the deserts of Africa and the maelstrom of the Arctic. Along the way he comes to rely on two women, one of whom may be the guide he needs out of the dizzying labyrinth of his research and back into his own life. A tantalizing yarn of detection and desire, The Biographer’s Tale is a provocative look at “truth” in biography and our perennial quest for certainty.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Biographer's Tale?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of The Biographer's Tale?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780375411144
Is The Biographer's Tale part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Vintage International
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Biographer's Tale?
A. S. Byatt
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Biographer's Tale is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780375411144) and hardcover(ISBN 9780701169459) and paperback(ISBN 9780375725081) and paperback(ISBN 9780099283935) and ebook(ISBN 9780375413421)
Where can I buy The Biographer's Tale online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Biographer's Tale from below
Where can I buy The Biographer's Tale?