This impressively ambitious riff on Don Quixote and the Peasant’s Revolt gambols and scrambles with intellectual mischievousness.
Don and Is are journeying around Essex. In Don’s mind, they are on a quest to reveal the truth about history, which is (also in Don’s mind) that there is no such thing as history. To Don, the past does not exist, and neither does the future, as he explains to the less intellectually-minded Is through many a colourful speech. Don believes that every action is determined by Chance, that living for the moment is paramount. Is, on the other hand, just wants to get home and is constantly baffled by his companion’s philosophical and scientific declarations. Much mayhem - and danger – ensues, making this extraordinary debut a veritable feat of literary inventiveness that sends readers hurtling down unexpected paths. Extravagant, eccentric and challenging, this is a book to buckle up with, and devote time to - the rewards are well worth the investment. ~ Joanne Owen
"e;A work of enormous scope and ambition from a writer who combines style, wit... and a rare sense of the ridiculousness of the human condition. Incomparable."e; (Alex Pheby, Wellcome Book Prize-shortlisted author of Playthings)Forbidden Line, the debut novel by Paul Stanbridge, is a monster. A unique retelling ofDon Quixote and the fourteenth century Peasants' Revolt -it's also a gleeful hybrid of science, pseudo-science, absurd theory and ingenious philosophy. Above all, it's a story about love, companionship, and two friends: Donand Is. This profoundly odd couple career around Essex and London, insulting drinkers, abusing drivers, curing plague, and fighting each other and everyone around them. They are on a quest (as far as Don is concerned) to reveal the truth about history and to uncover the secrets of thehyperfine transition of hydrogen. But Is, like the rest of us, isn't really sure what Don is talking about.All he wants to do is get through to the next day - and back to his family.Both of which turn into extremely tricky propositions, as Don takes him ever deeper into danger, and the very structure of realitybegins to turn against them bothForbidden Lineis a fiercely clever novel; it will make you question everything, and it will make you glad to be human. It is a dazzling achievement.
-136x200.jpg)
