Land of Marvels

by Barry Unsworth

book data

125 ratings, 3.17 average rating, 56 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		7%
4		26%
3		44%
2		19%
1		2%

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published

January 7th 2010 by Windmill Books (first published January 6th 2009)

details

Paperback, 304 pages

isbn

0099534541 (isbn13: 9780099534549)

description

A thriller set in 1914 as the Western nations are making a grab for political power and oil in the Middle East, by a writer with an "almost magic…more

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Jan 21, 2009

Michael rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

Read in January, 2009

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Jan 04, 2009

Colleen rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: reviewed

Read in January, 2009

I chose to read this book because I once dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, and having lived in the region, I was especially interested in the early history of the search for oil. Let me start out by saying that the book is definitely a better read than the flap copy might lead you to believe. The narrative focus on this small group works extremely well, and serves to underscore the myriad of competing interests focused on the region at the time.

Unsworth is a skilled writer, and ...more

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Mar 14, 2010

Jim Leffert rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

Read in March, 2010

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. Like the previous one, The Ruby in Her Navel, this book deals with the collision between Europe and the Arab world. This time, the collision takes place not in medieval Sicily but in early 20th century Mesopotamia, during the months preceding World War I, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

I found The Ruby in Her Naval to be a much more satisfying book than Land of Marvels. For one thing, the former book is rich in atmosph...more This is the second book I’ve read by this author. Like the previous one, The Ruby in Her Navel, this book deals with the collision between Europe and the Arab world. This time, the collision takes place not in medieval Sicily but in early 20th century Mesopotamia, during the months preceding World War I, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

I found The Ruby in Her Naval to be a much more satisfying book than Land of Marvels. For one thing, the former book is rich in atmosphere and follows one character, giving him time to develop and for the reader to care about him. The plot in that book is not as important as the character development—we already get strong hints at the beginning of the book about how the story is going to turn out, but this doesn’t detract from our appreciation of the story.

Land of Marvels, by contrast, is heavy on plot. The job of advancing the intricate plot falls to cluster of main characters. None of these characters deeply engages the reader. Each comes across as a “type”, relentlessly pursuing his chosen goal, rather than as a fully realized individual: Somerville, the obsessive English archaeologist, determined to make a name for himself by uncovering amazing findings from ancient Assyria; Lord Rampling, the scheming, influential, and fabulously wealthy robber baron, determined to make an even greater fortune and manipulate geopolitical events; Jihar, the young Arab laborer, dreamy, romantic, and desperate to amass the bride price for his beloved, the young woman Ninanna, before someone else takes possession of her; and Elliot, a crafty, resourceful, and ambitious American geologist, who is searching the area for oil deposits while pretending to be an archaeologist.

The characters represent, in more or less clear fashion, certain broad features of their nationality: unbridled European ambition to dominate exploit the Middle East, American drive to harness technology and supplant the Europeans, European romance for uncovering and deciphering the stories of ancient civilizations, and (less clearly) Arab desire to gain something from all this activity.

Since the characters’ goals are deeply in conflict and much is at stake, it is likely that one or more of them or perhaps one or more subsidiary characters are likely to be dead by the end of the story. The twists and turns in the story ratchet up the suspense and uncertainty regarding who is going to succeed and who is going to get hit. The result is an entertaining story with an ending that I found to be not very satisfying, but which might be viewed as having some symbolic meaning.

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Jan 30, 2010

Whitaker marked it as thinking-about-it (review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: thinking-about-it

Washington Post: Barry Unsworth's immensely intelligent and entertaining new novel takes place in 1914 in what was still known as Mesopotamia. ... Unsworth is now 78 years old, and Land of Marvels is his 16th novel, but if he's lost a step along the way, it certainly isn't evident here. Not only does he confidently steer a complicated narrative populated by numerous characters, all of them believable and interesting, but he displays an impressive command of archaeology and geology, difficult sub...more Washington Post: Barry Unsworth's immensely intelligent and entertaining new novel takes place in 1914 in what was still known as Mesopotamia. ... Unsworth is now 78 years old, and Land of Marvels is his 16th novel, but if he's lost a step along the way, it certainly isn't evident here. Not only does he confidently steer a complicated narrative populated by numerous characters, all of them believable and interesting, but he displays an impressive command of archaeology and geology, difficult subjects that are at the center of his story. ... Land of Marvels can--and I believe should--be read as a corrective to the arrogance and overweening self-confidence that led the United States into the morass of Iraq, but it also is a reminder that nothing is forever. ... Land of Marvels can be read for that lesson, one as old and familiar as "Ozymandias" but forever in need of repetition, but it also can be read as singularly skillful entertainment. Its characters are real, its prose is fluid, its sense of place is pervasive, and its ending is exactly right, on a note of loss, survival and irony. All in all, a lovely, memorable book.

The Guardian: Reading this novel is like watching an Olympic athlete about to win the gold: the seamless flow of action, the mastery of technique, seemingly effortless yet demanding attention and eliciting admiration as an end in itself. ... The story is so thoroughly adapted to expressing that meaning, so tightly organised, so concentrated in its forward drive towards its goal, as to suggest the athlete's perfect indifference to anything outside the goal. ... Land of Marvels is a thriller, and complex apprehension of feeling, ambiguity of motive, revelation of depth are features of few thrillers. The general rule of the genre is to get some vivid, well-articulated puppets into action and keep them in lively movement, and that's exactly what Unsworth does. ... Long before that slightly stagey announcement of the country's modern name, the novel has made its point, demonstrated the relevance of its historical subject to affairs of immediate interest to us. The story has clearly appeared as a political struggle, pitting morally opposed forces against each other: disinterested knowledge against interested knowledge - research against spying and the science of archaeology, with little immediately practical application, against the science of geology, so useful to national governments seeking expansion of wealth and power.

The Independent: For the best part of three decades, Barry Unsworth has excelled at the kind of period novel that not only makes history live again but confirmss the truth of William Faulkner's dictum: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." ... Unsworth's swift and sure touch as narrator means that each side of the story bounds along. ... The plot, so delicately stitched, unravels-–literally-–in a flash. A miscalculation by a minor player, acting unawares within a vast, unstable tinderbox, reduces many of these stories to an abrupt terminus. This distant catastrophe, we learn, added to Europe's "general feeling of apocalypse" during the summer of 1914. As always with Unsworth, no moral lectures or glib ironies ensue. Rather, we glimpse what happened to these folk (or those who survived) during and beyond the first global war. It ended with, among many other new-born nations, the Anglo-French fabrication of the four-letter land whose name ends this compelling-–and unsettling-–book.(less)

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Jun 19, 2009

Jeannette marked it as to-read (review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: to-read

Susan's friend: "Land of Marvels" by Booker Prize Winner Barry Unsworth opens in Mesopotamia (Iraq) in 1914 when the area is still being ruled by Constantinople. Every European country has a presence there just waiting for the Ottoman Empire to fall. John Somerville, a British archeologist, has been working for three years at Tell Erdek. Unfortunately, his excavations are in the path of the German built railroad. Somerville employs a local Arab to spy on the Germans (but who is he re...more

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May 13, 2009

Kleiner rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

In 1914, on the eve of World War I, the British archeologist Somerville is in his third season of excavating a mound in Ottoman-controlled Mesopotamia. As he begins to uncover a palace and realizes its significance to the world's understanding of the fall of the Assyrian Empire, he is overwhelmed by the impending threat to his dig posed by the Germans' railway, which is planned to cut through the dig, and the European and American interest in the oil fields surrounding the dig. The convergence o...more In 1914, on the eve of World War I, the British archeologist Somerville is in his third season of excavating a mound in Ottoman-controlled Mesopotamia. As he begins to uncover a palace and realizes its significance to the world's understanding of the fall of the Assyrian Empire, he is overwhelmed by the impending threat to his dig posed by the Germans' railway, which is planned to cut through the dig, and the European and American interest in the oil fields surrounding the dig. The convergence of the railway, the dig, and the oil has a fiery ending, reminiscent of the fire and brimstone of Genesis prophetically invoked by visiting Swedish missionaries and the ancient fires that consumed the Assyrian Empire and the partially excavated palace. Consumed by the dread of impending doom, Somerville's drive to protect the treasures and his future ends up destroying both.

Unsworth falls short of expectations; however, overall, Land of Marvels is a provocative historical novel. He reminds us that conflict is not new to this part of the world. The players may change, but the quest for power and resources remains the same.

Land of Marvels is timely, taking advantage of the world's current interest in Iraq. Unsworth used his characters as symbols to convey the conflict and contrasting interests Mesopotamia has witnessed for thousands of years. Imperial interests are exploiting the region's resources: archeological treasures, oil, and its people. With the backdrop of the perpetual cycle of falling empires and empire building, these financial imperialists are exploiting the struggling-to-survive Ottoman Empire, for immediate gain and positioning for impeding war. The British Empire is trying to survive in light of expanding French and German industrial interests.

Somerville, a self-educated archeologist who sold his family business to pursue his life-long passion, is juxtaposed with Palmer, his assistant, who is a dry formally educated archeologist who prefers the British Museum to field work, and Elliot, an oil geologist. Both Somerville and Elliot look to land formations for clues to the treasures they seek below ground. Somerville represents the past - the past that is only survived by relics in the sand, and the once noble endeavor of digging for the relics. Elliott represents the future - the modern view of the land as a harbor of natural resources to fuel the future rather than as a caretaker of the past.

Christine is Somerville's wife and counterpart. She strives to uphold Victorian feminine propriety and disapproves of Patricia, a young, educated suffragist. Christine believes a woman's role is to provide a supportive home life for the fostering of her husband's works, while Patricia is the new, and future, face of femininity - educated and striving to be included as a vital participant in society inside and outside of the home.

In contrast to these Western characters are Jehar and Ninanna, two of the poor native inhabitants of the region who struggle to survive on the scraps of the European ventures and who will never enjoy the spoils. For them ancient and modern empires are the same - oppressive and exploitive.

At times, Unsworth forgets his audience. The story gets bogged down with detailed geographical and historical information for which the average reader may not have any context. Such a reader's enjoyment of the story can be hindered, as they may not appreciate its value in the story. While the text does not need to be simplifies, the use of a simple editorial device such as a map on the inside cover (e.g., a rendering of the hand-drawn map obtained by Jehar) would lend itself to the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the story. In addition, Unsworth's over-use of passive voice, negative phrasing, and pronouns tends to disrupt the flow of the story.

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Feb 05, 2009

Bookmarks Magazine rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

Most critics praised this historical novel; differences in opinion centered on execution rather than subject matter. All agreed that Land of Marvelsoffers a compelling portrait of the Iraq of nearly a century ago, with reverberations for our own involvement in the region today. Unsworth expertly sets a scene and imbues his story with local color, drama, and impressive knowledge of archaeology and geology. However, some reviewers noted the unevenness of Unsworth's characters��the relatively flat

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Jul 21, 2009

Ann rated it:

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So, so unexpectedly lovely. I adore this sort of jewelbox of a book: small but not limited, both perfectly calibrated and emotionally generous -- this is the reason I became obsessed with the Booker Prize (and now I cannot. wait. to read Sacred Hunger). My mind thrills to finding symmetry in different people and times, and that is exactly what Land of Marvels does: ostensibly a story about white men (archaeologists, politicians, spies) and the things (tombs, oil, power) they hope to find in th...more

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Aug 09, 2009

Alice Meloy rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

Booker Award winner Unsworth (author of Sacred Hunger, one of my all-time favorite historical novels) has written a slow-building, probably-too-staid-for-most -thrill-seekers novel of international intrigue in the Fertile Crescent just prior to the outbreak of World War I. A British-led archeological dig on the verge of making a significant discovery in what is today's Northern Iraq is being challenged by German construction of a railroad line to Baghdad and by secret American and British attemp...more

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Feb 06, 2009

Sara rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

It is 1914, and Barry Unsworth's The Land of Marvels opens on a frustrated archeologist, John Somerville, digging in Mesopotamia. The narration then alternates between Somerville and those who make his acquaintance (a cast of con-men and murderers). Some bent on glory, others greed, but all wish to exploit the land of modern day Iraq. By the story's end everyone will have compromised themselves as oil mania consumes the region.

The plot is good, but the novel reads more as a political...more

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Jan 16, 2009

Writerlibrarian rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: february-pile, read2009, ww1

Read in February, 2009

Slow and mellow with a big bang at the end. This illustrates how obsession and believing in one's lies can be a very dangerous to your health. Two men, one a scholar by choice, who is seeking self validation and is riddled with doubts, the other a man with no education but skills, self made, in love with a dream and obsessed with a woman. Both destinies tied together and for both to achieve their dreams both must succeed or die trying.

The setting is wonderfully done. Mesopotamia ri...more

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Nov 04, 2009

May-Ling rated it:

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Read in November, 2009

it took me awhile to plow through this one... i had to force myself to cut through the archaeology speak and middle eastern names, but i think it was worth it. for those interested in archaeology, it's definitely a good read!

initially it's hard to keep people straight, but you get sucked in and wonder what's in store for everyone. the author definitely builds up tension and you're a bit stressed towards the conclusion. there's a lot of intrigue and strong characters in this book. no ...more

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Feb 09, 2009

Betty rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: africa, archaeological, fiction, historical-fiction, international, novels

Read in March, 2009

recommends it for: historical fiction, archaeology, Assyria, Mesopotamia

Land of Marvels by Barry Unsworth (This review is based on a bound galley.)
Land of Marvels is a two-sided statement. Taking place primarily at an archaeological dig, where hope reigns that there will be vast historic value to be discovered. There is also a separate, secondary love story running through the background with tales of the marvels that can be enjoyed in a wonderful city. The dig is a very real archaeological exploration; the stories are tales told to impress a loved one. Barr...more

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May 15, 2009

Debbi rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

Read in May, 2009

I read this because it is historical fiction about the former Mesopotamia. I would liked to have rated it 4* but I found Unsworth's writing style tedious, to say the least. His 5 - 7 line sentences, interposed with many, many comas, was annoying. The same story could have been written in a much crisper manner. But, the material, the development of Mesopotamia, kept me plodding through.

After about 3/4 of the book, I was finally hooked and couldn't put it down because the story is fasc...more

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Jan 30, 2009

Book Passage Bookstore rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: elaines-picks

Read in January, 2009

Unsworth sets his mesmerizing new novel in Mesopotamia in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire. An archaeologist feverishly uncovers centuries-old civilizations while the modern ones, particularly Germany and England, covertly stake claim to the same area. They recognize it’s geographic value to warring nations and the value of it oil reserves. Unsworth brought me right into the world of Iraq’s current situation.--Elaine Petrocelli (Book Passage President)

Purchase from an Indie: ...more

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Nov 17, 2009

Michael added it (review of isbn 0385520077)

bookshelves: historical-fiction

Historical fiction, 1913. This is an often funny account of the early rush to exploit what would later become Iraq. The characters are believable and the story entertaining. Jehar, the Arab con-man and spy is the best.

Oil was becoming the major commodity in the world, rail and river routes through the area were needed by all the European colonial nations for trade and the coming World War, archaeologists rushed to for the next find that could make a reputation, and the natives and sp...more

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Feb 10, 2010

Felicity rated it:

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Read in February, 2010

Probably more deserving of 3.5 stars, Barry Unsworth's novel is difficult to score in comparison to others largely because it covers such different subject matter. Set just before World War I in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), the plot centers on the excavation of an Assyrian palace and burial chamber by a British archeologist, Somerville. The dig is threatened by the many powers competing for land in the slowly disintegrating Ottoman Empire: the Germans who are building a railroad; and the British an...more

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Dec 09, 2009

Felice rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

Read in December, 2009

How wonderful is it to read the latest book by an adored author and ---whew---you loved it!

Ahhh...a new Barry Unsworth novel. This is thrilling! Have you ever read anything by him, Flower? Unsworth is one of my top 10 favorite authors. I look forward to a new book by him with the same keen excitement that I await my siblings return to their own homes after holidays. He isn't a book a year writer so each new reading experience must be made to last. Also, he's 80 years old and hey I kn...more How wonderful is it to read the latest book by an adored author and ---whew---you loved it!

Ahhh...a new Barry Unsworth novel. This is thrilling! Have you ever read anything by him, Flower? Unsworth is one of my top 10 favorite authors. I look forward to a new book by him with the same keen excitement that I await my siblings return to their own homes after holidays. He isn't a book a year writer so each new reading experience must be made to last. Also, he's 80 years old and hey I know older people but at 80 how many more finished novels does he have in him? I don't know but it's not as many as I want him to have in him I'm sure.

Unsworth has written a great many worthy reads. My favorites are:" Sacred Hunger" (1992 Booker winner), "Morality Play", "After Hannibal", "The Greeks Have A Word For It" and "The Ruby In Her Navel". You aren't going to like my boy Barry if you are a page turning, card carrying member of the fan club of James Patterson. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

However you are going to love, adore and pray for at least 10 more novels and for a never out of print backlist if you are a fan of: storytelling that does not exclude questions of morality, the power of vocabulary, proper grammar and writing that allows you to discover verses writing that flat out tells you everything you need to know to understand why John doesn't marry Jane at the end of the book.

The new book is "Land of Marvels" and it is fabulous. It's the spring of 1914 and all that will happen soon to the greater world has already long been set in motion, but near the Euphrates in the Ottoman Empire this novel's smaller world is looking to the past. An amateur archaeologist named Somerville is running a dig that he hopes will uncover a major find. Something that will put him on the same level with the heroes of his youth.

Of course into this arena will come a variety of people with an even greater variety of agendas. "Land of Marvels" is a thriller at it's heart and in most hands thrillers offer up the good, the bad, the ugly, the prize and nothing else. Unsworth presents all those elements but because he is such a gifted writer he is able to shift your loyalties around this unsettling Edwardian game of Clue as easily as he makes Assyrian history and the geology of oil fascinating and understanable. "Land of Marvels" tells many stories and Unsworth's abilty to juggle them all with economy and elegance is very impressive.
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Apr 04, 2009

Cynthia rated it:

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Read in April, 2009

wow! I thought this was a parody on the historical romantic novel, with the added fillip of a fine handling of the politics and local landscape. As such, I thought it was extremely well done, with the characters stopping just short of total stereotype. Upon reading other reviews, I find that they all took the book at face value. Even if I'm totally off base, I enjoyed it as I took it, and I wouldn't have cared for it much as straight historical fiction.

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Jan 20, 2009

Kathleen Gilroy rated it:

(review of isbn 0385520077)

I have read Barry Unsworth's Sacred Hunger -- a Booker Prize winning historical novel about the Slave Trade. Land of Marvels is also historical fiction -- set in the days just prior to World War I in what was known as Mesopotamia of the Ottoman empire and what is now known as Iraq. The story involves several characters with dreams and aspirations to become much greater -- an archaeologist, his local "fixer," an American geologist, British diplomats -- and their wives. I found it to ...more

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