The Master of Chaos

and Other Fables

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on Waterstones.com
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 1 Jul 2021 | Archive Date 30 Jun 2021

Talking about this book? Use #TheMasterofChaos #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

A Nobel laureate struggles to write a convincing suicide note; a hobo sings of hope in the darkest hours after the Grenfell disaster; in a strange post-death waiting room, Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary exchange confidences, and a scientist finally discovers the appalling truth about a boyhood friendship.

These stories alight in Russia, Europe, the Caribbean and South America, fables that are unpredictable and haunting, with a streak of black humour.

A Nobel laureate struggles to write a convincing suicide note; a hobo sings of hope in the darkest hours after the Grenfell disaster; in a strange post-death waiting room, Anna Karenina and Emma...


A Note From the Publisher

Pauline Melville is a British Guyanese writer who has worked at
the Royal Court Theatre, the National Theatre and in television,
film and cabaret.

Her first novel, The Ventriloquist’s Tale, won the Whitbread First
Novel Award. Other literary awards include the Guardian Fiction
Prize, the Macmillan Silver Pen Award, a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Guyana Prize for Literature. Salman Rushdie has described her as ‘one of the few genuinely original writers to emerge in recent years’. She was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2018.

Pauline Melville is a British Guyanese writer who has worked at
the Royal Court Theatre, the National Theatre and in television,
film and cabaret.

Her first novel, The Ventriloquist’s Tale, won...


Advance Praise

‘In this virtuoso performance, Pauline Melville shows us a world in upheaval, and reminds us that that’s where we live.’ -Salman Rushdie

‘AMAZING.’ -Oliver Double

‘Terrific read beautifully written.’ -Roger Graef

‘In this virtuoso performance, Pauline Melville shows us a world in upheaval, and reminds us that that’s where we live.’ -Salman Rushdie

‘AMAZING.’ -Oliver Double

‘Terrific read beautifully written.’...


Marketing Plan

New in July from the winner of the Guardian Fiction Prize

New in July from the winner of the Guardian Fiction Prize


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781913207540
PRICE £14.99 (GBP)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)

Average rating from 6 members


Featured Reviews

I enjoyed this short story collection, though can't put my finger on exactly why. As the title suggests, these are fables, and while some have clear sci-fi or fantasy elements, others are set in the real world but still have a sense of unreality to them. Well worth a read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

The Master of Chaos is a compelling and unique short story collection primarily set against the recognisable backdrop of the real world but with elements of magical realism. Unpredictable, haunting, with a streak of black humour, this collection of short stories ranges across the world, from Petersburg to Guyana, Syria to London, Argentina to Edinburgh. Its diverse characters are caught up in wars or revolution, escaping the past or finally returning to confront it. There is something here for everyone to enjoy. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: