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Fools of Fortune

Author William Trevor
Introduction by Francine Prose
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Paperback
$18.00 US
Penguin Adult HC/TR | Penguin Classics
5.1"W x 7.77"H x 0.6"D   | 6 oz | 72 per carton
On sale Apr 25, 2006 | 224 Pages | 9780143039624
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Penguin Classics is proud to welcome William Trevor—"Ireland’s answer to Chekhov" (The Boston Globe) and "one of the best writers of our era" (The Washington Post)—to our distinguished list of literary masters. In this award-winning novel, an informer’s body is found on the estate of a wealthy Irish family shortly after the First World War, and an appalling cycle of revenge is set in motion. Led by a zealous sergeant, the Black and Tans set fire to the family home, and only young Willie and his mother escape alive. Fatherless, Willie grows into manhood while his alcoholic mother’s bitter resentment festers. And though he finds love, Willie is unable to leave the terrible injuries of the past behind.

  • First time in Penguin Classics

  • Winner of the Whitbread Novel of the Year Award

"William Trevor at his best." —The New York Times

"Arresting, powerful, and indelible. A story of courage and love... as tender and wistful as an Irish lament." —The Washington Post

© Jane Bown
William Trevor was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, and spent his childhood in provincial Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin. He has written many novels and short story collections and has won many prizes, including the Hawthornden Prize and the Whitbread Book of the Year Award. The Story of Lucy Gault was shortlisted for both the Man Booker Prize and the Whitbread Fiction Prize. In 2002 he was knighted for his services to literature. View titles by William Trevor

About

Penguin Classics is proud to welcome William Trevor—"Ireland’s answer to Chekhov" (The Boston Globe) and "one of the best writers of our era" (The Washington Post)—to our distinguished list of literary masters. In this award-winning novel, an informer’s body is found on the estate of a wealthy Irish family shortly after the First World War, and an appalling cycle of revenge is set in motion. Led by a zealous sergeant, the Black and Tans set fire to the family home, and only young Willie and his mother escape alive. Fatherless, Willie grows into manhood while his alcoholic mother’s bitter resentment festers. And though he finds love, Willie is unable to leave the terrible injuries of the past behind.

  • First time in Penguin Classics

  • Winner of the Whitbread Novel of the Year Award

Praise

"William Trevor at his best." —The New York Times

"Arresting, powerful, and indelible. A story of courage and love... as tender and wistful as an Irish lament." —The Washington Post

Author

© Jane Bown
William Trevor was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, and spent his childhood in provincial Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin. He has written many novels and short story collections and has won many prizes, including the Hawthornden Prize and the Whitbread Book of the Year Award. The Story of Lucy Gault was shortlisted for both the Man Booker Prize and the Whitbread Fiction Prize. In 2002 he was knighted for his services to literature. View titles by William Trevor

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