C is a 2010 novel written by Tom McCarthy. C is McCarthy's third novel and sixth book. The novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.[1] Critics were polarized by the work.[1]
.jpg) First edition (UK) | |
| Author | Tom McCarthy |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape (UK) Knopf (US) |
Publication date | 2010 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Pages | 400 |
Plot
editThe novel revolves around Serge Carrefax, born in the late 19th century in England. The plot follows his life before and after World War I.
Themes
editA major theme in the novel is communication, and the way technology influences the way individuals and societies communicate.[2][3]
Reception
editUpon release, C was generally well-received. On The Omnivore, in an aggregation of British press reviews, the book received a score of 2.5 out of 5.[4] The book received a 61% from The Lit Review based on 8 critic reviews and the consensus of the reviews being, "The reviews are incredibly mixed for McCarthy’s C; but the Man Booker Selection Committee seems to like it, so it just might be worth the read".[5] Culture Critic gave it an aggregated critic score of 82 percent. [6] According to Book Marks, the book received "positive" reviews based on 20 critic reviews, with 8 being "rave" and 6 being "positive" and 5 being "mixed" and 1 being "pan".[7] On Bookmarks Magazine, a magazine that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a 
(4.0 out of 5) based on critic reviews with the critical summary saying, "Even with a good deal of mainstream attention for his third novel, C, Tom McCarthy is still something of a fringe writer".[8] Globally, Complete Review saying on the consensus "Find it quite interesting".[9]
Jennifer Egan, writing for the New York Times, referred to the novel as fusing "Pynchonesque revelry in signs and codes with the lush psychedelics of William Burroughs".[10] Leo Robson, in a review for the New Statesman, describes the book as "full of familiar delights and familiar tedium". It continues "After a certain point, most sentences go something like this (not a parody): "Everything seems connected: disparate locations twitch and burst into activity like limbs reacting to impulses sent from elsewhere in the body, booms and jibs obeying levers at the far end of a complex set of ropes and cogs and relays."[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Adams, Stephen (27 July 2010). "Peter Carey could be three-time Booker winner". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- ^ Egan, Jennifer (8 September 2010). "Code World". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Tayler, Christopher (30 July 2010). "C by Tom McCarthy". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "C". The Omnivore. Archived from the original on 6 Dec 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ ""C" by Tom McCarthy". The Lit Review. Archived from the original on 7 Sep 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Tom McCarthy - C". Culture Critic. Archived from the original on 19 Aug 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "C". Book Marks. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "C By Tom McCarthy". Bookmarks Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 Sep 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ "C". Complete Review. 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ Egan, Jennifer (8 September 2010). "Code World". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ New Statesman article
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