Primarily known for his 1960 comic novel, this author offers a witty exploration of humanity's origins and familial dynamics through the eyes of a prehistoric son. His prolific career extended into fiction with later works that provide provocative reinterpretations of the Victorian era. Beyond his novels, his writing often intersected with journalism, resulting in a body of nonfiction work. His distinctive voice blends humor and sharp social commentary, making his fiction a thought-provoking read.
The only person opposed to the destruction of the old Northumbrian barn to make way for a leisure complex is planner Arnold Landon, who senses it is in some way unique. When the barn becomes the scene of a mysterious murder Landon knows his instincts are right, but only persistent inquiries reveal the truth about its history, and the secret for which someone is prepared to kill ...
«E se le cose fossero andate in un altro modo?». Domande che chiunque si pone quando riflette sulla Storia. Roy Lewis esplora questa tematica in un romanzo, utilizzando lo stesso approccio vivace e illuminante che ha caratterizzato il suo lavoro sulla preistoria. Immagina un supercomputer che elabora la vittoria del socialismo anziché del capitalismo nella rivoluzione del 1848 in Europa. Il risultato è un racconto in cui la regina Vittoria abdica nel 1849 a causa della rivolta dei cartisti. Si instaura un regime socialista che, pur mantenendo la monarchia, si concentra su lavoro e uguaglianza. Tuttavia, questo socialismo bucolico si rivela un lento disastro, poiché non riesce a gestire l'impatto della tecnologia, che altera continuamente i rapporti sociali. I socialisti, incapaci di adattarsi, preparano così il terreno per una nuova rivoluzione. Ma cosa accade quando l'«ultimo re socialista» diventa complice di questa rivolta? La sua storia, narrata da lui stesso, è indimenticabile: un sovrano gentile e amabile, che avrebbe preferito insegnare matematica, si trova a guidare una controrivoluzione per rovesciare il proprio regime, esautorando se stesso. La vera storia dell'ultimo re socialista è stata pubblicata in Inghilterra nel 1990.
Here is a typical Stone Age family, reimagined by Roy Lewis in this hilarious novel as characters in some glittering drawing-room comedy. Father, who has a scientific turn of mind, has just discovered fire. Mother makes sure the children finish supper, even when the plat du jour is toad. Uncle Vanya thinks that the species has been flirting with disaster ever since it began to chip flint into tools. While little Alexander has gotten himself in deep trouble by making the first cave artists are always so misunderstood.Long out of print, The Evolution Man would make Charles Darwin turn over in his grave. Lewis has written a witty, intelligent satire of the lives of our remote ancestors, complete with highly revisionist accounts of everything from the origins of courtship to the staples of Pleistocene cuisine. It's the funniest thing to happen to prehistory since Raquel Welch donned a fur bikini in One Million B.C.
Es geht um ein hübsche Summe – und um die Frage, warum sie keiner haben will. Die Antwort findet Eric Ward, als er den raffinierten Mörder endlich in Visier hat und seiner Entdeckung trauen will ...
