The Mandelbaum Gate divides the conflict-torn realm of Jerusalem, separating Israel from Jordan. Barbara Vaughn, a stubborn young Englishwoman and half-Jewish Catholic convert, insists upon crossing the divide in order to rendezvous with her fiancé, in spite of the very real danger. Not even the threat of bodily harm and fearful admonishments of staid British diplomat Freddy Hamilton can dissuade Barbara from her ill-timed pilgrimage. Her quest sets off a series of bizarre situations and adventures, set against the backdrop of the Eichmann trial of 1961.
Muriel Spark has created a many-faceted novel, both comic and serious, enriched by a wealth of information.
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"Strangest narrator I have encountered in a while. I was also really unfamiliar with the geopolitics the book concerns and they were fascinating. This was like a spy novel populated by Isherwood characters." — Genevieve (4 out of 5 stars)
"Strangest narrator I have encountered in a while. I was also really unfamiliar with the geopolitics the book concerns and they were fascinating. This was like a spy novel populated by Isherwood characters."
“The Mandelbaum Gate is a fascinating performance...It crosses the tradition of the novel of female sensibility with modern exotic fiction...it is not a book to miss.”
“Takes the breath away…Pure adventure…Suspense as artfully maintained as anything by Graham Greene.”
“English-accented Frederick Davidson turns in a memorable performance.”
“[Davidson] achieve[s] successful transitions through deliberate pauses and changes of voice. Thus, we’re able to follow the many tangents the author uses to enrich the story and our listening pleasure.”
" I think Spark's a brilliant writer but this just didn't do it for me. "
" Tough times call for Spark's wry humor and quirky cadences. I always have one or two on hand and pulled this one out this weekend. Good so far, but far from a favorite. "
" Very different from the other Muriel Spark novels I've read. Not satirical, not even really funny, but still pretty good. "
" A very different sort of book for Muriel Spark, but I loved it nevertheless. "
" Not really what I expected from Muriel Spark -- a touch of the international thriller here, kind of what you might get from Graham Greene if Graham Greene was entirely equal to his reputation. "
" Radical for its time. A gay character. Israelis and Palestinians who had social relationships. The prose is polished down to its essence. Best of all her books. "
Muriel Spark (1918–2006) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the author of over twenty novels, including The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, as well as critical biographies, radio plays, children’s books, poetry, and short-story collections. She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1993 and a Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 1996.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.
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