Dean Spanley: The Novel - Hardcover

Dunsany, Lord

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007290454 ISBN 13: 9780007290451

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2008

Synopsis

The classic humorous novel about an alcohol-loving clergyman who thinks he is the reincarnation of a dog. Complete with the screenplay and photos from the new film starring Peter O’Toole and Sam Neill.

Dean Spanley is the very archetype of a bland churchman: affable, conventional, prudent without being a prig. Only his keen interest in the transmigration of souls and almost excessive enthusiasm for dogs betray any shadow of eccentricity. And then, richly primed with a few glasses of Imperial Tokay, he slips over the threshold between past and present and becomes a dog. Or are his canine memories no more than fancy? Surely no mere dean could speak so vividly, with such total conviction, of the joys of hunting, of rolling in fresh dung, of baying the moon? No human could know so much of rabbiting, the importance of buying bones, the contemptibility of pigs. My Talks With Dean Spanley, first published in 1936, is certainly Lord Dunsany’s funniest book and, in its unique way, a remarkable tour de force.

Now adapted into a new comedy-drama feature film, DEAN SPANLEY follows a father and son as they encounter the eponymous eccentric in this story of reincarnation and reconciliation set in Edwardian England. Adapted by Alan Sharp (Rob Roy) and directed by New Zealand-born Toa Fraser (No.2), a truly impressive international cast is led by eight-time Academy Award nominee Peter O'Toole (Venus, Lawrence of Arabia) and also features Jeremy Northam (The Winslow Boy, Gosford Park), Bryan Brown (Cocktail, Gorillas in the Mist) and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, My Brilliant Career).

This special edition includes Lord Dunsany’s witty and inventive original novel, as well as Alan Sharp’s hilarious screenplay, which faithfully adapts and also expands upon the events in the book. Complete with colour photos and interviews with the principal film-makers, this whimsical, wintry tale about dogs, reincarnation and the effects of alcohol makes perfect Christmas reading for lovers of classic humorous storytelling.

About this title

Review:

Praise for the forthcoming film:

“Featuring a career-capping performance by Peter O'Toole and a magical mélange of fine wine, canines and eccentric behaviour, Dean Spanley is a rare pleasure.” Toronto Film Festival 2008

“A moving and visually wondrous evocation of magic and imagination.” Screen Daily

“... engrossing drama... Peter O’Toole [gives an] absolutely mesmerizing performance...The final reel packs far more of an emotional wallop than one could've possibly anticipated.” Reel Film Review

“Spanley manages to be both riotously funny and simply affecting. Dean Spanley is the film of the year” GQ Magazine

“A sheer joy. ****” DAILY MIRROR

From the Publisher:

My Talks With Dean Spanley was first published in 1936, and this special edition includes Lord Dunsany's witty and inventive original novel, as well as Alan Sharp's hilarious screenplay, which faithfully adapts and also expands upon the events in the book. Complete with colour photos and interviews with the principal film-makers, this whimsical, wintry tale about dogs, reincarnation and the effects of alcohol makes perfect Christmas reading for lovers of classic humorous storytelling.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0007290454
• ISBN 13: 9780007290451
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320