Fools of Fortune

by William Trevor

Book Overview

Penguin Classics is proud to welcome William Trevor--"Ireland's answer to Chekhov" (The Boston Globe) and "one of the best writers of our era" (The Washington Post)--to our distinguished list of literary masters. In this award-winning novel, an informer's body is found on the estate of a wealthy Irish family shortly after the First World War, and an appalling cycle of revenge is set in motion. Led by a zealous sergeant, the Black and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143039628
• ISBN13: 9780143039624
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Perfection

William Trevor's "Fools of Fortune" is perfection incarnate with elegance, spare yet richly satisfying. A miniature history of the struggles in Ireland rendered on a personal scale.

Trevor - the world's greatest modern tragedian

Allright, I admit that as a Yank writer who has taught writing myself, I did at first find William Trevor's constant use of the passive voice somewhat disturbing! That was upon reading "Felicia's Journey," my first, unforgettable exposure to this genius. Since then, I have come to believe that one grand reason to remain alive is to read the rest of his novels: they are that brilliant and awe-inspiring. I do not believe that his 'Big House' novels, this one and "The Story of Lucy Gault," can be excelled for the strength of their immortal tragedy. His use of irony in human endeavor and fate creates masterpieces that illuminate man's virtue and folly as inseparable. Since the loss of Hubert Selby, Jr. last year, Trevor may very well stand alone now as the foremost tragedian in the Western world. Do read these two novels for the sense of finality, futility and hopelessness that Trevor is so masterful at extracting from the both the the barest and the most complicated lives, while spinning stories that carry more momentum than a beach-trash thriller.

Another Beautiful Trevor Novel

What can I say? It's William Trevor's prose about love, politics and patriotism. I recommend this book to everyone with a heart beating in their chest. In comparison to his other novels, I find that this book captures the innocence of youth and the loss of innocence that war and times of trouble can bring.

a sorrowful and poignant story, yet maintains to thrill me

A few years have passed since I last read Trevor's novels and hardly could I remember how great he is and his fictions are. I have just finished reading this novel and have come to conclude that all of Trevor's novels should not be missed. Setting against the historical Anglo-Irish complex relationships, the novel tells a sorrowful and poignant love story that spans three generations. Trevor's use of language is subtle, delicate, and controlled and is a first-rate writing. The fact that I'm unfamiliar with the Anglo-Irish history might have undermined my appreciation and comprehension (in a certain way) of this novel, nonetheless, this is a great book and should be recommended to those who love reading.

A moving tale of love, hatred and political turmoil.

This an intensely moving story of young love set in 1918 Ireland. We see how three generations of the same family are shattered by the Anglo-Irish fighting. Trevor weaves a tale of political intrique, love and self exile. Anyone interested in Ireland's political past and future will find this worth reading. ( The movie version of this book stays very true to Trevor's tale.