Stone Virgin

Description

Passionate, erotic and haunting, this is a brilliant novel by one of Britain's most important novelists. For five hundred years a statue of the Madonna has watched over Venice. Now, dulled by time and pollution, she is prepared for restoration. As Simon Raikes immerses himself in the painstaking task of cleaning and repairing, he is inexorably drawn to the stories of violence and lust which have surrounded this stone virgin. Simon's investigations lead him to Chiara Litsov, the wife of a renowned sculptor. A dangerous attraction develops between them and it appears inevitable that once again the stone virgin will bear witness to passion, betrayal and murder.

Barry Unsworth was born in 1930 in Durham. He was the author of many novels, including Pascali's Island, which was shortlisted for the 1980 Booker Prize; Stone Virgin (1985); Sacred Hunger, which was joint winner of the 1992 Booker Prize; Morality Play, which was shortlisted for the 1995 Booker Prize; Losing Nelson (1999); The Songs of the King (2002); The Ruby in Her Navel (2006); Land of Marvels (2009); and The Quality of Mercy (2011), which was shortlisted for The Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction. Barry Unsworth died in 2012.

A marvellous novel, beautifully written and compelling to read * Daily Telegraph * A tour de force of informed, atmospheric writing ... an impressive, thought-provoking book * Sunday Times * An enthralling exploration of time and of Venice and of the creative mind * New Yorker * A remarkable novel ... a superlative evocation of a Venice of murky calli ... a master stylist * Spectator *