After the Fireworks: Three Novellas

by Aldous Huxley, Gary Giddins Narrated by Michael Page, Tom Parks

Overview

From one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century, Aldous Huxley, comes his great novella, set in Rome, about a writer's affair with a mysterious young fan-now back in print for the first time in the U.S. in more than seventy years and also featuring two other acclaimed short works, plus an original introduction from noted critic Gary Giddins.

"The psychology of the two individuals is shrewdly mastered.... After the Fireworks displays on Huxley's part a rare but genuine if elusive sympathy as well as a sound perception of human shortcomings."-New York Times

In After the Fireworks, three of Aldous Huxley's lost classic pieces of short fiction are collected for the first time. In the title novella, Rome is the stunning backdrop where internationally famous novelist Miles Fanning sets out on a walk down Via Condotti toward the Spanish Steps when he encounters the mysterious Pamela Tarn-a beautiful young American admirer of his work who shares a name, as well as conspicuous personality traits, with a character from his most celebrated book. Though there is a considerable age difference between them and they come from different worlds, both are soon irresistibly drawn into a dangerous affair which has unforeseen consequences.

First published one year before he wrote his classic Brave New World and now back in print for the first time in seventy five years, After the Fireworks is Aldous Huxley at the height of his powers. Featuring an original introduction by National Book Critics Circle Award-winner Gary Giddins, this new collection also includes Uncle Spencer (1924), the story of an aging World War I veteran's quest for the lost love he met in a prison during the war, and Two or Three Graces (1926), the tale of a passionate and destructive writer's abusive relationship with an impressionable, bourgeois housewife.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

’After the Fireworks’ is a major work and a turning point for Huxley, leading directly to Brave New World.” — Gary Giddins

“The psychology of the two individuals is shrewdly mastered. . . . After the Fireworks displays on Huxley’s part a rare but genuine if elusive sympathy as well as a sound perception of human shortcomings.” — New York Times (on After the Fireworks)

“Brilliant. . . . I doubt if there is another living novelist as capable of taking in so much at a glance.” — The Spectator UK (on After the Fireworks)

“Two or Three Graces is probably the thing nearest perfection of all that he has done.” — New Statesman UK (on Two or Three Graces)

“It takes an artist of more than usual gifts to produce 137 quietly exquisite pages in order to lead up to such a delightfully ironical tiger-or-lady ending as that of ‘Uncle Spencer.’” — Literary Review on (Uncle Spencer)

“Aldous Huxley endures as one of the most visionary and unusual minds of the twentieth century.” — Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

Literary Review on (Uncle Spencer)

It takes an artist of more than usual gifts to produce 137 quietly exquisite pages in order to lead up to such a delightfully ironical tiger-or-lady ending as that of ‘Uncle Spencer.’

New York Times (on After the Fireworks)

The psychology of the two individuals is shrewdly mastered. . . . After the Fireworks displays on Huxley’s part a rare but genuine if elusive sympathy as well as a sound perception of human shortcomings.

New Statesman UK (on Two or Three Graces)

Two or Three Graces is probably the thing nearest perfection of all that he has done.

Maria Popova

Aldous Huxley endures as one of the most visionary and unusual minds of the twentieth century.

Gary Giddins

’After the Fireworks’ is a major work and a turning point for Huxley, leading directly to Brave New World.

The Spectator UK (on After the Fireworks)

Brilliant. . . . I doubt if there is another living novelist as capable of taking in so much at a glance.

The Spectator (UK

I doubt if there is another living novelist as capable of taking in so much at a glance. ... Brilliant.

New Statesman (UK

Two or Three Graces is probably the thing nearest perfection of all that he has done.

OCTOBER 2017 - AudioFile

After 75 years in obscurity, the three Huxley novellas collected here not only continue his focus as a social critic, but also showcase his considerable writing gifts for language and character development. Narrator Michael Page's plummy English accent perfectly depicts the upper-crust Brits in these stories of the privileged on the Continent before and after WWI. Page exhibits his considerable narrative talent by using subtle variations in tone and intensity to effectively voice a diverse cast of personalities—male and female, young and old. Page's beautifully understated presentation of all the drama these characters manufacture as they pursue making themselves miserable will appeal to any listener who enjoys good writing, but offers a special treat for Huxley fans. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170065707
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/04/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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