Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Man & Other Natural Disasters
by
Nerys Parry (Goodreads Author)
Simon Peters, a bookbinder full of theories on everything from heart--broken shrimp to the consciousness of DNA, is hiding from his horrific past in the basement of the Calgary City Library. Enter Minerva, a twenty--two year--old student. Her ghostly resemblance to Simon's dead sister compels him to slowly reveal the shocking story of the various natural disasters that kil...more
Hardcover, 214 pages
Published
September 1st 2011
by Enfield & Wizenty
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
74)
Man & Other Natural Disasters by Nerys Parry is nothing at all like I expected. I was drawn in from the following quote in the prologue:
"Fire, the most decisive element, devoured my sister first. Not long after her last ember had cooled, Earth swallowed my father. Then, not to be outdone, Air, the breath and will of the heavens themselves, swept up my mother. And so you see, by some democracy of the Gods, I have been left to the Waters." ~Nerys Parry
As the story progressed I found that the...more
"Fire, the most decisive element, devoured my sister first. Not long after her last ember had cooled, Earth swallowed my father. Then, not to be outdone, Air, the breath and will of the heavens themselves, swept up my mother. And so you see, by some democracy of the Gods, I have been left to the Waters." ~Nerys Parry
As the story progressed I found that the...more
Simon works in the basement of the Calgary City Library. He does book repair and maintenance. He was born on August 20, 1947, the last day of the drought. A woman is sent in to help figure out how to cut costs on book repairs, and she looks like his sister who died in a fire. He also has a roommate named Claude.
The chapters were divided into water, air, earth and fire. The way Simon describes what a baby must feel like in childbirth (like what things you would have to do all at once to simulate...more
The chapters were divided into water, air, earth and fire. The way Simon describes what a baby must feel like in childbirth (like what things you would have to do all at once to simulate...more
Mr. Simon Peters works in the basement of the Calgary Library repairing damaged volumes for a living. That’s all you really need to know before you read Man & Other Natural Disasters. Don’t read the reviews, don’t even read the blurb on the back of the book. Just get yourself a copy, take a moment to clear your mind of any troubling thoughts and your schedule of needless commitments, find a comfortable place to settle in, and begin reading one of the most intriguing, magical pieces of fictio...more
Apr 14, 2012
Michelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Michelle by:
Aaron - Opinionless book club
Shelves:
2012-read
Dang! This was really good. Surprisingly good! I have not had much time to read lately and the time I found was just small snippets. Often, I felt the need to re-read the little I had read the day before to get back into the sense of the book. Finally last night I made the realization that I had to sit down and find out WHAT was happening and how the book was going to end! WoW! What a great way to spend a beautiful day with a beautiful book.
Can't do a better review that my friend Aaron. Find his...more
Can't do a better review that my friend Aaron. Find his...more
Update: On Feb. 1 2012, Great Plains Publications became a Featured Advertiser at Pickle Me This. This review was published prior to our relationship. Pickle Me This does not publish sponsored posts, and all opinions expressed on the site are my own.
“I’m reading a really wonderful book,” is something I kept telling people last week as I was reading Nerys Parry’s first novel Man and Other Natural Disasters. Then of course I’d be asked what it was about, and every time I came up short with an ans...more
“I’m reading a really wonderful book,” is something I kept telling people last week as I was reading Nerys Parry’s first novel Man and Other Natural Disasters. Then of course I’d be asked what it was about, and every time I came up short with an ans...more
I just finished it and I really like it. What a strange twist near the end. I wish there was a second volume. I feel like there is more story to tell. It's especially interesting because it has real Canadian history in it. I went to the Frank Slide with Saryn's class in elementary school and I remember learning about the Doukhobors with her.
Half star! Come on! I'm giving it 3.5 stars. Thank you to Opinionless virtual book club, because once again a book was chosen that I would never have thought to pick up, but became one I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks also to Nerys Parry for taking time out of her evening last night to talk to us about the book. As Aaron and other Opinionless members have said, you cannot really say too much about this story because it will give away its twists and turns!! It is definitely unique and interesting! Al...more
Very clever book - not at all what I expected - so much more. I read it all in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nerys, I am impressed!! Can't wait to read more...
May 24, 2012
Great Plains
added it
Just read the beautiful paragraph on page 12!
This book is amazing from start to finish.
very much enjoyed this novel. the author is a great story teller...
Nerys Parry has written a book that will haunt you for months, maybe even years. The quality of language, and the audacity with which she creates the memorable Simon and his fugue memories is sufficient to make this a great read, but coupled with some unusual observations about the universe in general and some nerve-splitting twists brings it to a whole new level. One of the most distinctive voices I have read in some time.
What treat to read a book without a predictable plot line. It would be an injustice to talk too much about it, so I'm going to charge you to read it for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
Here's a link to an excellent review of this book.
http://www.opinionless.com/book-revie...
Here's a link to an excellent review of this book.
http://www.opinionless.com/book-revie...
Not what I expected. Often you suspect that works of fiction are thinly veiled and illuminated autobiographies--not here. A work that makes you truly think about fiction and the role of author as creator. A marvelously woven tale that sticks with you.
A video review has been requested. Got some ideas-- I'll work on something... (no pressure!)
May 12, 2013
Elizabeth
marked it as to-read
Apr 16, 2013
Anna
marked it as to-read
Apr 13, 2013
Jitender
marked it as to-read
Mar 17, 2013
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
Dec 04, 2012
Michael
added it
Oct 01, 2012
Lise
marked it as to-read
Sep 09, 2012
Lixa McIntosh
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Era: Author Appearance! | 2 | 7 | Feb 27, 2012 09:00am |
Nerys Parry’s writing has aired on CBC radio and appeared in diverse publications. Her work has been shortlisted for the Kenneth R. Wilson Canadian Business Press Award, FreeFall’s Fall Fiction Contest, and the Event Non-Fiction Award. Man & Other Natural Disasters, finalist for the Colophon Prize, is her first novel. Parry holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen’s and a Master of Fine...more
More about Nerys Parry...
Mar 05, 2012 05:58pm