The Gates of Ivory - Hardcover

Drabble, Margaret

3.78

400 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0771028628 ISBN 13: 9780771028625

Publisher: McClelland & Stewart, 1991

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The Gates of Ivory is a vibrant, mesmerizing novel that juxtaposes the cynical, sophisticated realm of London against the dreaded world of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot’s Cambodia. In London, psychiatrist Liz Headleand receives an unexpected package, containing, among other things, a laundry bill from a hotel in Bangkok, old newspaper clippings, and two human finger bones. She recognizes the handwriting as that of Stephen Cox, who has been travelling in the Far East. With the help of her friends, Liz goes in search of the man who might once have been her lover, and gradually we learn of Stephen’s difficult pilgrimage, from Thailand to Vietnam and, finally, Cambodia. Disturbing, wryly humorous, and deeply affecting, The Gates of Ivory brings two very different worlds into uneasy proximity, and the result is potent.

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Review:

"Read this book....A tour de force...For those of us who believe fiction can offer a reality and truth beyond that of non-fiction, this novel is not to be missed."-"Calgary Herald "Artfully constructed and at times mordantly funny."-"Vanity Fair "Piquant characterization, wonderful dialogue and brainy, skillful writing...."-"Globe and Mail "Unputdownable....A sojourn within "The Gates of Ivory is not something one soon forgets.""Edmonton Journal "Irresistible, thought-provoking....Compelling."-Saskatoon "StarPhoenix

From the Back Cover:

'A compelling voyage into the heart of darkness' Daily Telegraph

'An engrossing story, very well told' Evening Standard

'Interesting, detailed, amusing and horrifying by turns' The Times Literary Supplement

'Drabble raises much to think about; her picture of Cambodia is scrupulously researched and deeply felt' Daily Telegraph

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