Format:
Book
Author(s):
Gaddis, William
Keyword(s):
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Veterans -- Fiction.
Married people -- Fiction.
Domestic fiction
Married people
Fiction
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Fiction
Veterans
Year:
1985
Pages:
262 p.
Publisher:
Viking
Publisher location:
New York
Accession number:
11344874
Label:
Box 127
Notes:
23 cm.
"Elisabeth Sifton books."/ Also issued online.
William Gaddis.
Book
Language:
English
Call number:
LC: PS3557.A28; Dewey: 813/.54
ISBN:
ISBN: 0670697931; 9780670697939 LCCN: 83-40669
Work type:
Fiction (fic)
Abstract:
This story of raging comedy and despair centers on the tempestuous marriage of an heiress and a Vietnam veteran. From their "carpenter gothic" rented house, Paul sets himself up as a media consultant for Reverend Ude, an evangelist mounting a grand crusade that conveniently suits a mining combine bidding to take over an ore strike on the site of Ude's African mission. At the still center of the breakneck action--revealed in Gaddis's inimitable virtuoso dialogue--is Paul's wife, Liz, and over it all looms the shadowy figure of McCandless, a geologist from whom Paul and Liz rent their house. As Paul mishandles the situation, his wife takes the geologist to her bed and a fire and aborted assassination occur; Ude issues a call to arms as harrowing as any Jeremiad--and Armageddon comes rapidly closer.