Upon travelling to Poland, and searching through the Streets of Krakow to find 'Massolit Books & Café' I stumbled upon this a novel about no other than my 'favourite' author! I just had to have it!
Matthew Pearl is renowned for his melding of mystery and literary history, with previous books "The Dante Club (2003)" and "The Poe Shadow (2006)" soaring to the top of any bookaholics wishlist!
In having the ability to blur the lines between what we perceive as reality and what we know to be fiction, Pearl is able to create within the diegesis of his novels, a harmonious balance in which writers and poets can exist alongside his creations, bringing his literary genius to life!
Set in six installments, similarities with "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" are ever-present. Pearl does however present the reader with an intriguing theory as the ending of Dickens' novel and how he may have arrived at such. The ambitious plot set out by Pearl does not fail to deliver, satisfying the reader to the fullest with the involvement of a murder (or two), a unaccounted for manuscript, the trading of opium across three continents, the emergence of publishing firms in New York and Boston, and the plight of single or divorced women in 19th century America!
Fans of Dickens will be more than overwhelmed with this loving pastiche to the "Boz" with its literary allusions and thoroughly researched characterizations!
10/10 for Pearl!
