Nocturne

Look up into the night sky and gaze in wonder ...The moon and the light it casts have been a muse for writers, artists, composers and visionaries throughout history. But today, in our increasingly urbanised world, the spread of artificial lighting seems set to rob the moon of its power. Now James Attlee invites us to turn our faces once more toward the night sky and contemplate the moon's many moods. He takes us with him on a journey in search of moonlight and its meanings, from the kitsch to the sublime - in the modern world, the ancient world, in art, books, music, and in science. And from his front door he travels to Normandy, Naples, Arizona, Wales, Las Vegas and Japan. Here, then, is a strangely illuminating traveller's tale about a search for the all-but-vanished light of the moon - and a passionate plea to turn off the lights and repossess the stolen night.

ISBN 0241144329   Pages 320 ISBN13 9780241144329 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 461 Publisher Penguin Books Ltd   Published in London Imprint Hamish Hamilton Ltd   Height (mm) 222 Format Hardback   Width (mm) 144 Publication date 31 Mar 2011   Spine width (mm) 30 DEWEY 910.4   Academic level General DEWEY edition DC22

Eccentric, rambling, charming ... by turns erratic and spellbinding. Attlee is an entertaining writer, pulling off strange and daring leaps ... thrilling. Nocturne is an inspiration. It makes you want to pull a chair out into the garden and bathe in the moonlight. No questions asked New York Times Book Review Engaging, erudite, moving and impassioned ... [Attlee is] a stylist of amazing wit and skill Irish Times A poetic and passionate story of light in darkness The Times Attlee is a true enthusiast, and is fascinated by, indeed loves, his subject. He writes beautifully and often thrillingly about the moon in all its - her? - aspects, and it will be a dull-minded reader who comes away from this book without a new or at least renewed regard for the extraordinary, silver satellite that is our world's constant companion -- John Banville Guardian Richly rewarding, beautifully written and, like the moon, wonderfully reflective Times Literary Supplement A wistful, fact-filled and esoteric treat Sunday Times

 Be the first to write a customer review