"Hubert Anvil's voice rose above the sound of the choir and full orchestra, reaching the vertex of the loftiest dome in the Old World and the western doors of the longest nave in Christendom."
-- The Alteration by Kingsley Amis
In this alternate history novel, there was no Protestant Reformation and the Catholic church is the only (Christian) game in town. Church higher-ups have their eye on musical marvel, ten-year-old Hubert Anvil, as the next great castrato. Ewwww . . . where is this going?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Opening Sentence of the Day: The Alteration
"Hubert Anvil's voice rose above the sound of the choir and full orchestra, reaching the vertex of the loftiest dome in the Old World and the western doors of the longest nave in Christendom."
-- The Alteration by Kingsley Amis
In this alternate history novel, there was no Protestant Reformation and the Catholic church is the only (Christian) game in town. Church higher-ups have their eye on musical marvel, ten-year-old Hubert Anvil, as the next great castrato. Ewwww . . . where is this going?
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That cover is a bit overly suggestive, isn't it? There's a twist ending, though.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLet's try that again.
ReplyDeleteI'm interesting that you're reading the father since I've only read Martin Amis & only one book of his (London Fields) at that. I also can't remember a thing about it. Hmmm ....
I keep eying Lucky Jim, but turning away. We'll see how long before I give in. I like a good British school novel. I keep looking for something as wonderful as Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers & not quite managing it.