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Title: An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears ISBN: 0-425-16772-0 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: March, 1999 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.13 (266 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Masterpiece of a Mystery
Comment: I found An Instance of the Fingerpost to be one of the most engaging mysteries I have ever read. The book's basis is a murder-mystery focused upon the death of an Oxford professor and priest, Dr. Grove. The central premise is explored by four highly different narrators - an Italian visitor, a young student whose father was accused of treason, a cryptographer with the English government, and a historian. I found the use of the different narrators fascinating, as the reader is able to explore how different viewers of the same events can see things very differently, depending on their prior knowledge of and interest in the events.
While the solution to the central mystery is a shock and a revelation, the interest of Pear's book does not stop with the who-dunit aspect of the book. Rather, the reader is drawn into a scholarly exposition on the history of science; an interesting study of the political scene in England at the time of the murder; and a close development of all the central characters.
Having recently finished this book, I plan to read it again in a few weeks. I think that, knowing the ultimate result, rereading the stories leading up to it will be time well spent.
Rating: 5
Summary: A wonderful and thought-provoking world to be drawn into.
Comment: I had read the only two Iain Pears art mystery stories published in paperback and enjoyed them very much - especially for their delicious humor and sense of place. I saved An Instance of the Fingerpost to read on a long flite home from Italy and was so captivated that I didn't want to get off the plane after over 24 hours, nor did I want to finish the book. I wanted to stay in 17th century Oxford. This is a book like Gone with the Wind, or War and Peace: It takes you into it and engulfs your world. But the reader has to love history first and mystery second. It is best to read this book without reading even the Amazon review. Really, just know that the year is 1663, Charles II is on the throne, in Oxford there is a murder and an old woman is dying. This is a roman a clef, you will meet and understand many famous people and all the while unbeknownst to the reader the subject is...well, I won't give it away. Best of all this book has a sly sense of humor which keeps the reader on his toes. You will also learn more than you ever wanted to know about 17th century medicine...fascinating stuff. And Oxford, Morse would be at home. Read this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Alexandria revisited
Comment: An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears relates four views of the same events taking place immediately after the restoration of Charles II in England. Similar but superior to the Alexandrian Quartet; we believe what we want to believe and if we are politically connected our beliefs can be highly dangerous to others. Superior in that we gain insight into the customs and practices of the time along with an uneasy feeling that what Pears writes of science and politics is as true today as it was then.
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Title: The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears ISBN: 1573229865 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: The Raphael Affair by Iain Pears ISBN: 0425166139 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Death and Restoration (Art History Mystery) by Iain Pears ISBN: 0425177424 Publisher: Prime Crime Pub. Date: 07 November, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: The Bernini Bust (Art History Mystery) by Iain Pears ISBN: 0425178846 Publisher: Prime Crime Pub. Date: 06 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Giotto's Hand (Art History Mystery) by Iain Pears ISBN: 0425173585 Publisher: Prime Crime Pub. Date: March, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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