Talking to the Dead: A Novel Tag: Winner of the Orange Prize

by Helen Dunmore

Book Overview

Praised by critics on both sides of the Atlantic for its elegant and sensuous prose, "Talking to the Dead" tells the story of two sisters whose lives are bound by the hidden and surprising truth about the long-ago death of their infant brother.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316196452
• ISBN13: 9780316196451
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The best read in my 21st century...

'Talking to the Dead' is incredible at many levels. The voice is strong from the beginning. The relationship between the sisters is rich, wonderfully written, provocative. While it's a totally different work, it's a gem in the same way as 'A Handmaid's Tale': haunting, and something that leaves such powerful images that it's simply not forgettable.

Two Twisted Sisters

My english professor had the class read this book.I thought it would take me forever to read the book, but i finished the book in one day. It is non-stop action. From betrayal to adultery, this book has it all. The symbolism in this book is emaculate, especially the cover. If you want to read a suspenseful novella that you will keep you wondering into the hours of the night read this one. Dunmore has wrote the classic who dun it.

Excellent. Grabs your attention through different style.

I bought it before I left for a month long trip to Sweden this summer. I though it would last me about a week to read; I ended up finishing it in 2 days. I thought that Dunmore used a very unique style to grab your attention and keep you wanting to learn more about these two sisters and their unusual past. I enjoyed it to the last word.

A jewel of a book--a must-read.

While the subject matter of this book may appear at first glance to be a bit melodramatic, the book is an absolute jewel. The writing is beautifully crafted and the book extremely well paced. The story is engaging and multi-dimensional, and the rich writing and fabulous imagery makes this a real gem. Rarely does a book work on so many levels. An absolute must-read.

This is for those who love and hate a sister simultaneously

As the oldest of six children who resented the intrusion of the troop of younger siblings who invaded and "stole" her mother's attention, I could not put this book down. When you finish it, you are not at all sure that you were not part of the conspiracy. The author captured the enigma of the sibling relationship so expertly, the simultaneous love and jeolously, I felt exposed