
The Touch
Daniel Keyes(Author)
Weidenfeld & Nicolson (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 12. November 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-4746-1703-1 (ISBN)
Description
The ultimate 'what if' novel, from the million-copy-bestselling author of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON: 'A masterpiece of poignant brilliance ... heartbreaking' Guardian
Karen and Barney Stark should never have married. Childless, uncomfortable and incompatible, their marriage has not been a success, and the lack of a child only makes the tension between them worse. And living their lives to the beat of a fertility clock only adds to the increasingly volatile atmosphere.
When an incident at Barney's workplace causes them both to be unknowingly contaminated with radioactive dust, they also become pariahs - in their neighbourhood and with their families. But things are only going to get worse. Karen discovers she is pregnant and as their closest friends become frightened enemies, the dream of becoming parents turns into a nightmare...
Karen and Barney Stark should never have married. Childless, uncomfortable and incompatible, their marriage has not been a success, and the lack of a child only makes the tension between them worse. And living their lives to the beat of a fertility clock only adds to the increasingly volatile atmosphere.
When an incident at Barney's workplace causes them both to be unknowingly contaminated with radioactive dust, they also become pariahs - in their neighbourhood and with their families. But things are only going to get worse. Karen discovers she is pregnant and as their closest friends become frightened enemies, the dream of becoming parents turns into a nightmare...
Reviews / Votes
What possibly could turn into a sort of science fiction thriller actually becomes a very human book with the spilling of emotions becoming more important than the radioactive accident * HERALD ADVERTISER * A chilling Touch. One that you'll remember * KIRKUS * Terrifying in its potential reality * MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS * Gripping, well-plotted book ... radiation contamination has provided Keyes with a macabre and unusually provocative idea for a novel and he exploits it with narrative skill * WASHINGTON STAR *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
220 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4746-1703-1 (9781474617031)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Daniel Keyes (1927-2014)
Born in Brooklyn in 1927, Daniel Keyes worked as a merchant seaman, editor and university lecturer. He published four other novels, including Flowers for Algernon, originally a short story, for which he won the Hugo Award, later expanded into the Nebula Award-winning novel and adapted as an Oscar-winning film (Charly, 1968). Daniel Keyes had a Master's degree in English and American literature and was a Professor of English and Creative writing. He died in 2014.
Born in Brooklyn in 1927, Daniel Keyes worked as a merchant seaman, editor and university lecturer. He published four other novels, including Flowers for Algernon, originally a short story, for which he won the Hugo Award, later expanded into the Nebula Award-winning novel and adapted as an Oscar-winning film (Charly, 1968). Daniel Keyes had a Master's degree in English and American literature and was a Professor of English and Creative writing. He died in 2014.