Deaf Sentence - by David Lodge (Paperback)

About the Book

The subject of enthusiastic and widespread reviews, Lodge's 14th work of fiction displays the humor and shrewd observations that have made him a much-loved icon. What emerges is a funny, moving account of one man's effort to come to terms with aging and mortality.

Book Synopsis

The subject of enthusiastic and widespread reviews, David Lodge's fourteenth work of fiction displays the humor and shrewd observations that have made him a much-loved icon. Deaf Sentence tells the story of Desmond Bates, a recently retired linguistics professor in his mid-sixties. Vexed by his encroaching deafness and at loose ends in his personal life, Desmond inadvertently gets involved with a seemingly personable young American female student who seeks his support in matters academic and not so academic, who finally threatens to destabilize his life completely with her unpredictable-and wayward-behavior. What emerges is a funny, moving account of one man's effort to come to terms with aging and mortality-a classic meditation on modern middle age that fans of David Lodge will love.

Review Quotes

""Deaf Sentence" is funny, all right, but . . . Lodge goes wider and further by creating a man who learns to be clear to the increasingly inaudible years of late life."
-Roger Rosenblatt, "The Washington Post"

" Terrific . . . a balancing act that few authors could pull off with such grace."
-"Entertainment Weekly"

" Funny and touching."
-"Los Angeles Times"

Praise for Author, Author:
"Superb, engaging. A unique achievement." -" Daily Mail"
Praise for Thinks:
"Wonderfully entertaining, inquisitive and serious in describing humanity's attempts to understand itself." - "Spectator"

About the Author

David Lodge is the author of twelve novels and a novella, including the Booker Prize finalists Small World and Nice Work. He is also the author of many works of literary criticism, including The Art of Fiction and Consciousness and the Novel.