Synopsis
A young PhD student has spent six long months transcribing the diary of the seventeenth-century artist ‘S.B.’. Then, hidden between mundane descriptions of the artists’ daily routine, she makes a profound discovery: a single passage revealing that S.B. is a woman. Believing she has identified the first professional female artist in Britain, she maps out her entire thesis, right down to the dedication. Fizzing with ideas she sees her career, and her life, blossoming in front of her. However, she has made a simple mistake - one that she won’t acknowledge until it’s far too late to turn back. As she goes to ever greater lengths to protect her work from the truth, she begins to lose her grip on her thesis, her life and then her sanity. What follows is a remarkable exploration of intellectual integrity and denial, and a poignant, funny portrait of academic ambition.
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About the Author
Sigrún Pálsdóttir is a writer and historian. Born in Reykjavík in 1967, she completed a PhD on the history of ideas at the University of Oxford in 2001, after which she was a research fellow and lecturer at the University of Iceland. She first came to prominence as a writer of historical biographies: the acclaimed Þóra biskups (2007, e. Thora: A Bishop’s Daughter) and Ferðasaga (e. Uncertain Seas) in 2010. Her first novel, Kompa (e. History: A Mess), was released in 2016 and her second, Delluferðin (e. Embroidery) in late 2019. History: A Mess was nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize in 2016. Sigrún received The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) 2021 for Delluferðin (e. Embroidery). Lytton Smith is a poet, professor, and translator from the Icelandic. His most recent translations include works by Kristín Ómarsdóttir, Jón Gnarr, Ófeigur Sigurðsson, Bragi Ólafsson, and Guðbergur Bergsson. His most recent poetry collection, The All-Purpose Magical Tent, was published by Nightboat. Having earned his MFA and PhD from Columbia University, he currently teaches at SUNY Geneseo.
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History : A Mess
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Paperback. Condition: New. A young PhD student believes she has uncovered the first professional female artist in Britain. It's a discovery that could transform her career and reputation. However, in her haste to break new ground, she has made a simple mistake whichthreatens everything -and she won't acknowledge her error until it's far too late. As she goes to ever greater lengths to protecther work from the truth, she begins to lose her grip on her thesis, her life and ultimately her sanity. History. A Mess. is a remarkable exploration of intellectual integrity and denial, and a gripping portrait of academic ambition. Seller Inventory # LU-9781908670755
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Paperback. Condition: New. A young PhD student believes she has uncovered the first professional female artist in Britain. It's a discovery that could transform her career and reputation. However, in her haste to break new ground, she has made a simple mistake whichthreatens everything -and she won't acknowledge her error until it's far too late. As she goes to ever greater lengths to protecther work from the truth, she begins to lose her grip on her thesis, her life and ultimately her sanity. History. A Mess. is a remarkable exploration of intellectual integrity and denial, and a gripping portrait of academic ambition. Seller Inventory # LU-9781908670755
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A young PhD student believes she has uncovered the first professional female artist in Britain. Its a discovery that could transform her career and reputation. However, in her haste to break new ground, she has made a simple mistake whichthreatens everything and she wont acknowledge her error until its far too late. As she goes to ever greater lengths to protecther work from the truth, she begins to lose her grip on her thesis, her life and ultimately her sanity. History. A Mess. is a remarkable exploration of intellectual integrity and denial, and a gripping portrait of academic ambition. A young academic goes to ever greater lengths to keep a secret that sits at the heart of her work, and in doing so begins to lose her grip on her thesis, her life and then her sanity. What follows is a remarkable exploration of intellectual integrity and denial, and a gripping portrait of academic ambition. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781908670755
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