A Russell Hoban Omnibus

by Russell Hoban

Author of the immensely popular children’s books featuring Frances the Badger, Russell Hoban is also a master of contemporary imaginative literary forms, including the cult classic Riddley Walker. Gathered here are four of Mr. Hoban’s the haunting Lion of Boaz-Jachin, the popular Turtle Diary (made into a movie startting Glenda Jackson and Ben Kingsley), Pilgermann, and his newest work, the sharp and witty Mr. Rinyo-Clacton’s Offer, published here for the first time in North America. In addition, the collection includes samples from Mr. Hoban’s short stories, essays, and poetry. Finally, for true Hoban aficionados, there is part of an unfinished sequel to the adult children’s classic The Mouse and His Child, featuring the further adventures of Manny Rat.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories

832 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

Russell Conwell Hoban was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London, England, from 1969 until his death. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Хобан неимоверно, нечеловечески прекрасен и мудр. Примерно, как Бротиган, такой же богатый, волшебный, точный и лиричный, только его магическая вселенная чуть гуще и несколько иная, потому что, кроме американскости и сельскости в ней есть английскость, еврейство и лирика большого и старого города, чего все же не было у Бротигана. И он более успешная версия, конечно. Такой почти английский Бротиган. Который запросто может научить жизни, как это ни странно.
А "Пилгерманн", сказать по чести, - один из самых сложных, плотных, густых и вязких романов, что мне доводилось читать. Совершенно каббалистический и алхимический, Босх и Бройгел, только в линейной развертке по строкам и кадрам с заходом в Сарамаго.
И "детские" его книжки - полный восторг, абсурд и сюрреализм, неожиданные повороты и причудливые фантазии на каждом шагу (я не о совсем уж детских, морализаторских, говорю). Понятно, почему никто не делает их по-русски. Хобан вообще слишком уж хорош для России.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good time was had. This collection really reminded me that I don't so much like how Russell Hoban writes as much as his ideas. I had read Pilgerman before but I in no way minded re-reading it. The rest of the stuff was good, if short of excellent. Pilgerman absolutly stands out from his work as something more than a novel, as does The Lion... The rest of the stuff is just novels, which is ok too. Among the short stories, there's the same sort of contrasting brilliance and okness.

[Katharine Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for Turtle Diary and The Marzipan Pig

[Nedduh Simonson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only for 'Turtle Diaries' which made me
feel not unlike 'a fat rat I'm a cheese factory with no cats arouuuuuuund!'