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The Meaning of Night
The Meaning of Night | Michael Cox
13 posts | 21 read | 33 to read
After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinns for an oyster supper. So begins an extraordinary story of betrayal and treachery, of delusion and deceit narrated by Edward Glyver. Glyver may be a bibliophile, but he is no bookworm. Employed in a private capacity by one of Victorian Londons top lawyers, he knows his Macrobius from his First Folio, but he has the street-smarts and ruthlessness of a Philip Marlowe. And just as it is with many a contemporary detective, one cant always be sure whether Glyver is acting on the side of right or wrong. As the novel begins, Glyver silently stabs a stranger from behind, killing him apparently at random. But though he has committed a callous and brutal crime, Glyver soon reveals himself to be a sympathetic and seductively charming narrator. In fact, Edward Glyver keeps the reader spellbound for 600 riveting pages full of betrayal, twists, lies, and obsession. Glyver has an unforgettable story to tell. Raised in straitened circumstances by his novelist mother, he attended Eton thanks to the munificence of a mysterious benefactor. After his mothers death, Glyver is not sure what path to take in life. Should he explore the new art of photography, take a job at the British Museum, continue his travels in Europe with his friend Le Grice? But then, going through his mothers papers, he discovers something that seems unbelievable: the woman who raised him was not his mother at all. He is actually the son of Lord Tansor, one of the richest and most powerful men in England. Naturally, Glyver sets out to prove his case. But he lacks evidence, and while trying to find it under the alias Edward Glapthorn, he discovers that one person stands between him and his birthright: his old schoolmate and rival Phoebus Rainsford Daunt, a popular poet (and secret criminal) whom Lord Tansor has taken a decidedly paternal interest in after the death of his only son. Glyvers mission to regain his patrimony takes him from the heights of society to its lowest depths, from brothels and opium dens to Cambridge colleges and the idylls of Evenwood, the Tansor familys ancestral home. Glyver is tough and resourceful, but Daunt always seems to be a step ahead, at least until Glyver meets the beguilingly beautiful Emily Carteret, daughter of Lord Tansors secretary. But nothing is as it seems in this accomplished, suspenseful novel. Glyvers employer Tredgold warns him to trust no one: Is his enigmatic neighbour Fordyce Jukes spying on him? Is the brutal murderer Josiah Pluckthorn on his trail? And is Glyver himself, driven half-mad by the desire for revenge, telling us the whole truth in his candid, but very artful, confession? A global phenomenon, The Meaning of Night is an addictive, darkly funny, and completely captivating novel. Meticulously researched and utterly gripping, it draws its readers relentlessly forward until its compelling narrators final revelations. From the Hardcover edition.
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LeslieO
The Meaning of Night | Michael Cox
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I pulled the tagged book off my shelf recently and thought I should read this, it‘s been here for years. Then I realized it reminded me of something, two other books I loved! #covertrend

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Coleen
The Meaning of Night | Michael Cox
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Mehso-so

Between a pick and a so-so. Good story, but like most Victorian novels, it‘s long and bogged down with excessive details. I did like it, but wish it had been shorter.

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MarshmallowAdventures
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Pickpick

An incredible amount of depth and detail. Suspense and uncertainty carried the story until the bitter, bitter end.

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MarshmallowAdventures
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MarshmallowAdventures
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“Faces in the flames; the smell of a September morning; death and desire: impressions and remembrances floated before my eyes, coalesced, and separated again, a multitude of ghosts in an eternal dance.”

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MarshmallowAdventures

“After nearly nine years of wandering, I lay down that night in my own bed again, and closed my eyes once more to the eternal music of sea meeting shore.”

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MarshmallowAdventures
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Longest book of the year so far, who knew murder could take quite so long?

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parasolofdoom
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My 4 year old has been carrying this around. He says it's about hats.

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JGadz11
The Meaning of Night | Michael Cox
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First person narrator to the nth degree: as he‘s carefully plotting the demise of his arch nemesis. I feel like I‘ve read this book before...but that won‘t stop me from reading it again! #litsyreads #uncannyoctober @RealLifeReading

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TerriGreen
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Thank you @Amandajoy for my #cupidgoespostal goodies!! I love them!! The Meaning of Night is new to me and sounds wonderful. Sharp Objects has been on my radar for a while. My sister just passed her copy of Dark Places to me last weekend. I am so excited to read some of your favorites. Oh and dark chocolate is the best! Thanks @BookishMarginalia I had so much fun with this exchange. Happy Valentines Day!

BookishMarginalia That chocolate looks scrumptious-- I love that brand! 8y
Amandajoy Yay! I hope you enjoy them, happy reading! 8y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bookish.SAM
The Meaning of Night | Michael Cox
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Latest #bookhaul!! I felt great about this one. 1) proceeds from the used book shop go back to the library and 2) I've never heard of any of these! I tend to gravitate to books that are on one of my various #tbr lists or that I'm in some way familiar with. These are all new to me! Fingers crossed I picked up a gem or two.

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Hidie
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Going nowhere with Great Expectations...Maybe I'll read this instead...??

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Jenjenparker
The Meaning of Night | Michael Cox
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Pickpick

I don't know what attracted me to this novel, but it was a great read. Slowly you learn the secrets, and find yourself invested, unable to imagine what happens next. At one point, I yelled out, NO! You will know what I mean when you get there.