The narrator of THE WOMAN IN GREEN repeatedly insults his readers of 2050 and wishes he were instead addressing readers of 2025, when somewhat fewer were boneheads. Born under a curse at the exact moment of the 9/11 attacks, he looks back on two remarkable utopian experiments-one religious, the other secular-in early 19th-century New Harmony, Indiana. He then looks ahead to his grandfather Sam Coverdale's visionary effort in the millennial year 2000 to create a new "Boatload of Knowledge" on the banks of the Wabash. His ...
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The narrator of THE WOMAN IN GREEN repeatedly insults his readers of 2050 and wishes he were instead addressing readers of 2025, when somewhat fewer were boneheads. Born under a curse at the exact moment of the 9/11 attacks, he looks back on two remarkable utopian experiments-one religious, the other secular-in early 19th-century New Harmony, Indiana. He then looks ahead to his grandfather Sam Coverdale's visionary effort in the millennial year 2000 to create a new "Boatload of Knowledge" on the banks of the Wabash. His cast of characters bears an unsettling resemblance to Mary Shelley's circle of Frankenstein intimates. What could go wrong? From a macabre scroll found under a labyrinth to a dramatic fiasco on the world stage to a heady balloon ride to freedom, these characters plus one prescient turtle hang on together as friends and lovers, narrowly averting suicide within the ranks. Along the way, a Byronic character merrily cites strong evidence, hitherto overlooked, that Shakespeare himself was a suicide. Against the odds, they emerge with lasting romantic bonds and a vision that the enigmatic Woman in Green will someday prosper on Planet Earth.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
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Scanlon, Marcia. New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 226 p. The Enigma Quartet, 4. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
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Seller's Description:
Scanlon, Marcia. Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 226 p. The Enigma Quartet, 4. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Scanlon, Marcia. Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 226 p. The Enigma Quartet, 4. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
In the fourth and final installment of Larry Lockridgeââ?¬â?¢s The Enigma Quartet, readers are given yet another cleverly written and very witty look at life in ââ?¬Å"The Woman in Greenââ?¬Â? and it is a great read. In this book we are given a new set of issues to look at through the eyes of a new group of characters.
ââ?¬Å"The Woman in Greenââ?¬Â? begins as two of the main characters, Mary and Percy Schiller, are exploring a labyrinth in Indiana that was built by Father Rapp. Mary and Percy are soon joined by a group of others, each one on their own quest to do great things such as saving our planet from nuclear weapons, conserving the planet, stamping out climate change, and the list goes on.
With characters like Mary and Percy, Allegra- who is Mary�s step-daughter, and the wonderful Stretch, Allegra�s dear friend who is a turtle (yes, you read that correctly), the book is a satirical look at so many issues from love, to family, to suicide and, of course, a major theme of the story: if humans as a group do not take some action then we are on a path towards complete extinction.
Having not read any of the other books in this series I was honestly not sure what to expect when I started this one, but I have to say that I was not disappointed as I went from one page to the next. This author has an obvious gift that comes through clearly in his writing and what is most apparent to me is that he truly has fun with his characters. Between the seriously crazy situations the characters find themselves in and the wit and hilarity that comes through as they try to figure out and deal with these situations there is never a dull moment. You will definitely find yourself laughing out loud as you read.
Through all of that, the book is very well-written and holds an overall serious tone as it explores so many different issues. I admit I was very impressed by the way the author kept both the humor and seriousness of each situation at the front for the reader and pulled it all together in a very reasonable and enjoyable ending.
I must include a note here that I also found the illustrations by Marcia Scanlon that are sprinkled throughout the text to be absolutely wonderful. The drawings are very well done and add so much to the story.
ââ?¬Å"The Woman in Greenââ?¬Â? is an excellent story and I enjoyed it. I think the novel can definitely be read as a stand-alone book for those of you who, as is my case, have not read the first books of the quartet. That being said, I am guessing that there will be some themes and/or connections that are a part of the series as a whole and I am certainly going to find that out as I am hurrying to purchase copies of the first three books now. This is definitely a thought-provoking and worthwhile story to read, that I would recommend to everyone.
L.T.
May 5, 2023
Literary Titan
Larry Lockridge�s The Woman in Green is a captivating and satirical narrative that takes readers on a thrilling journey through academia, history, and science. This tightly-written novel is a true masterpiece that seamlessly weaves together various elements such as genetic re-engineering, deciphering ancient codes and scrolls, and the search for the sacred figurine of the Woman in Green.
The story centers around Sam Coverdale, a wealthy and benevolent man who gathers a group of six individuals at the New Harmony Institute for a massive experiment. Among them are Mary and Percy Schiller, who bear striking similarities to famous literary figures, revolutionary journalist George Gordon, and his daughter Allegra, a TV and communications expert who adores her pet tortoise, Stretch. Together, they embark on a multitude of endeavors while navigating love and lust amidst discussions on history and philosophy.
Lockridge�s novel is a short, quick, and stimulating read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The narrative is packed with events happening one after another, and the details added are nothing short of astounding. With references to forgotten poet Keats, the dementia vaccine, and the lost plays of Sophocles, readers are sure to pause and re-read said details to fully absorb their implications. The story�s narrator is grumpy and cynical and orders readers of 2050 to look up 2000�s terms in the glossary. This postmodern feel is wonderfully juxtaposed with references to cultural phenomena such as Walt Whitman, postmodernists, and camcorders. This combination leaves the reader feeling as though they are both in the present and the past, making for a truly unique reading experience.
The Woman in Green is part of The Enigma Quartet but can be read as a standalone work. The characters are incredibly human and ridiculous in the vein of Tom Sharpe. The writing style is a mix of ribald and sensitive, reminiscent of Terry Pratchett and Evelyn Waugh. The literary references are spot-on, and the proper use of Latin shows painstaking research or acute familiarity with the language. The illustrations included in the novel are reminiscent of later publications of Enid Blyton, with a childlike quality that adds to the book�s charm.
Overall, The Woman in Green by Larry Lockridge is an engaging read that leaves readers oscillating between a utopian and dystopian setting. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking novel.
