Altered States - Hardcover

Brookner, Anita

3.6

703 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0224042823 ISBN 13: 9780224042826

Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1996

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Feeling solitary and shocked by the late remarriage of his mother, Alan Sherwood submits to a highly unsatisfactory engagement to fragile, needy Angela. She sees in him a protector, one who will confer stability and respect upon her, yet he is haunted by memories of more carefree times in Paris, and by his passionate and destructive affair with Sarah Miller. So that when Sarah, with her heavy Guerlian scent and mane of red hair, re-enters of his life, Alan willingly embarks on a futile act of betrayal. The tragic consequences of this infidelity are to change his life for ever. Alone in the small Swiss border town of Vif, Alan prepares to confront the mistakes of his past, and to make amends for his folly. Altered States is a forceful exploration of the conflicting needs of men and women, and the lack of understanding which divides them. Powerfully written in rich in perception Anita Brookner's portrait of moral vulnerability and loss of innocence is an extraordinary achievement.

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Review:

"Engrossing-- a brilliant X-ray of obsession." -"New York Times Book Review "Brilliant.... In a category of its own." -"The Globe and Mail ""Altered States -- is among [Brookner's] best. Its spare, gripping narrative and sombre, yet illuminating look at the power of passion is extraordinary." -"The London Free Press "Brookner's vision of human behaviour is scrupulously honest, without ever being cruel-- a gem of revelation." -"Chicago Tribune "From the Trade Paperback edition.

Synopsis:

Shocked by the late re-marriage of his mother, Alan Sherwood submits to an unsatisfactory engagement to fragile, needy Angela. Yet he is haunted by memories of more carefree times in Paris with Sarah Miller. When Sarah re-enters his life, he willingly embarks on a futile act of betrayal.

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