The Elusive Language of Ducks
Published on 5. June 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-78074-400-1 (ISBN)
Description
As if it will make up for her loss, they bring Hannah a duckling to care for. They were well meaning, and it could have done the trick.
However, Hannah's focus on the duck progressively alienates those around her. As the duck takes over her world, past secrets are exposed. Will Hannah's life unravel completely?
This funny, moving and insightful novel contemplates the chemistry between one person and another: a man and another man's wife; a woman and a duck; a woman and her dead mother; a drug addict and his drug. Beautifully written, it is a penetrating and compassionate view of marriage, dependency, obsession, addiction, and love.
However, Hannah's focus on the duck progressively alienates those around her. As the duck takes over her world, past secrets are exposed. Will Hannah's life unravel completely?
This funny, moving and insightful novel contemplates the chemistry between one person and another: a man and another man's wife; a woman and a duck; a woman and her dead mother; a drug addict and his drug. Beautifully written, it is a penetrating and compassionate view of marriage, dependency, obsession, addiction, and love.
Reviews / Votes
'Sad but very funny... a perfect alternative to other summer reads' * Residents' Journal * 'Poetic and reflective, wry and playful at times, compassionate and observant... Ideas are mulled over and lived through, words polished, characters coaxed into life, flavours gradually deepen. The result is writing to savour.' * Herald on Sunday * 'It's poetic, gentle and wise... Wry and clever, The Elusive Language of Ducks transcends its bleak theme to leave us as thoughtful and questioning as its gentle protagonist.' * Weekend Herald *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
358 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78074-400-1 (9781780744001)
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
Judith White
The Elusive Language of Ducks
E-Book
06/2014
1st Edition
Oneworld Publications
€7.90
Available for download
Person
Judith White is a winner of the BNZ Katherine Mansfield Centenary Award, and twice winner of the Auckland Star Short Story Competition. A collection of short stories, Visiting Ghosts, was shortlisted for the New Zealand Book Awards, and her first novel, Across the Dreaming Night, was shortlisted for the Montana New Zealand Book of the Year. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand.