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The Dead of Winter
Appignanesi has crafted a classic tale of suspense―perhaps one of the finest you'll ever read in its genre...a lyrical page turner and a rare creation.―The Ottawa Citizen
540 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1999
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About the author
Lisa Appignanesi
59 books97 followersaka Jessica Ayre
Elżbieta Borensztejn was born on 4 January 1946 in Łódź, Poland, the daughter of Hena and Aaron Borensztejn with Jewish origin. Following her birth, her parents moved to Paris, France, and in 1951 they emigrating to Canada. She grew up in the province of Quebec - first in a small Laurentian town, subsequently in Montreal.
She graduated from McGill University with a B.A. degree in 1966 and her M.A. the following year. During 1970-71 she was a staff writer for the Centre for Community Research in New York City and is a former University of Essex lecturer in European Studies. She was a founding member and editorial director of the Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative. Through the eighties she was a Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, UK, for whom she also edited the seminal Documents Series and established ICA television and the video Writers in Conversation series.
She produced several made for television films and had written a number of books before devoting herself to writing fulltime in 1990. In recognition of her contribution to literature, Lisa Appignanesi has been honoured with a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government. In 2004, she became Deputy President of English PEN and has run its highly successful 'Free Expression is No Offence Campaign' against the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. In 2008 she became President of English PEN. She writes for The Guardian, The Independent and has made several series for BBC Radio 4, as well as frequently appearing as a cultural commentator.
In 1967, she married Richard Appignanesi, another writer, with whom she had one son in 1975, Josh Appignanesi, a film director. They divorced in 1984. With her life partner John Forrester, she had a daugther, Katrina Forrester, a Research Fellow in the history of modern political thought at St John's College, Cambridge. She lives in London.
Elżbieta Borensztejn was born on 4 January 1946 in Łódź, Poland, the daughter of Hena and Aaron Borensztejn with Jewish origin. Following her birth, her parents moved to Paris, France, and in 1951 they emigrating to Canada. She grew up in the province of Quebec - first in a small Laurentian town, subsequently in Montreal.
She graduated from McGill University with a B.A. degree in 1966 and her M.A. the following year. During 1970-71 she was a staff writer for the Centre for Community Research in New York City and is a former University of Essex lecturer in European Studies. She was a founding member and editorial director of the Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative. Through the eighties she was a Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, UK, for whom she also edited the seminal Documents Series and established ICA television and the video Writers in Conversation series.
She produced several made for television films and had written a number of books before devoting herself to writing fulltime in 1990. In recognition of her contribution to literature, Lisa Appignanesi has been honoured with a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government. In 2004, she became Deputy President of English PEN and has run its highly successful 'Free Expression is No Offence Campaign' against the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. In 2008 she became President of English PEN. She writes for The Guardian, The Independent and has made several series for BBC Radio 4, as well as frequently appearing as a cultural commentator.
In 1967, she married Richard Appignanesi, another writer, with whom she had one son in 1975, Josh Appignanesi, a film director. They divorced in 1984. With her life partner John Forrester, she had a daugther, Katrina Forrester, a Research Fellow in the history of modern political thought at St John's College, Cambridge. She lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 14, 2010
Is anyone aware of the debate over Rhianna's new video with the rapper who should spell his name M&M, but can't because of copyright? Some women, in particular those concerned with abuse, see the video as endorsing a blame the victim mentality (but blame the singers, not the actors. Why not blame all four?). Mel Gibson's most recent immoral activity is tied into this debate as well. I ask because the morning I started this book, CNN had a news story about it.
I don't know about the video; I've heard the song, but haven't seen the video. But when I finished this book, I thought about the debate.
It would be easy, too easy I think, to say that Appignanesi is doing "the blame the victim" route. It was, I must admit, the first thought that crossed my mind. The novel is about the death of Madeline, a famous actress. What comes out are secrets that were hidden, including some uncomfortable ones from Pierre, the defacto hero of the story. Instead, what Appignanesi is trying to get the reader to do is to think about the different aspects of love, hate, and even idol worship. What is the difference between a stalker and a teen who reads everything about the Jonas Brothers, has every picture of them pasted everywhere and writes them fan letters?
There is, of course, a difference. That's what this novel is about. To say anymore would ruin the book.
I don't know about the video; I've heard the song, but haven't seen the video. But when I finished this book, I thought about the debate.
It would be easy, too easy I think, to say that Appignanesi is doing "the blame the victim" route. It was, I must admit, the first thought that crossed my mind. The novel is about the death of Madeline, a famous actress. What comes out are secrets that were hidden, including some uncomfortable ones from Pierre, the defacto hero of the story. Instead, what Appignanesi is trying to get the reader to do is to think about the different aspects of love, hate, and even idol worship. What is the difference between a stalker and a teen who reads everything about the Jonas Brothers, has every picture of them pasted everywhere and writes them fan letters?
There is, of course, a difference. That's what this novel is about. To say anymore would ruin the book.
August 10, 2015
Slower start than I expected given the reviews. Based in Quebec in a provincial town,a local girl,now famous actress dies at Christmas, apparently by her own hand. Her companion since childhood is the narrator and briefly the suspect in what emerges as her murder. Townsfolk loyalties are tipped from critic of Madeline to fan...sinister events bring them into question u til the murderer is found after a grizzley scrap. I became more sympathetic to the main character at the end...but had thought he was horrible!
March 24, 2025
Set in Quebec, this mystery involves the death of Rousseau’s estranged wife. While the police are investigating if it was a suicide or a murder he remembers vignettes of their life together. It was a bit like a more depressing Giles Blunt novel. By the end, you feel sorry for everyone.
2025 reading challenge -a 📖 set in the winter
2025 reading challenge -a 📖 set in the winter
May 29, 2024
I brought this book at my local library, and it didn't really have a cover on it, so I didn't really get to read the back. A LOT of this book was mostly in like French, and like I can't understand nothing in French. So, it was really confusing for me. But the plot twist at the end was crazyyy.
March 16, 2025
Quite an intriguing novel, read it to the end, not sure if it should be called a thriller
January 22, 2010
madeleine was large enough to belong to everyone.
March 10, 2015
It would make a good movie. But somehow, despite all the introspection, the protagonist just didn't come to life for me.
March 1, 2016
Freeeeee, i'm free, i'm finally free of this awful book. It truly had no redeeming qualities.
July 31, 2011
Mild, summer read. Ironic I know. Nothing profound.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews