The Dark Clue: A Novel - Softcover

Wilson, James

2.8

164 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802139299 ISBN 13: 9780802139290

Publisher: Grove Press, 2003

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Hailed by The New York Times Book Review as "a luscious Victorian thriller" that "sends two characters from Wilkie Collins's 1860s novel [The Woman in White] on a brilliant literary mission," James Wilson's The Dark Clue is as stylishly inventive as the oil paintings of J. M. W. Turner, the elusive genius who lies at the thriller's heart. Sheltered, upright Walter Hartright is commissioned to write a biography of England's great Romantic landscape artist. When he discovers the "dark clue" hidden deep within Turner's paintings, he becomes eerily obsessed with reconstructing a life that is shrouded in mystery and steeped in rumor. To do so, he seeks help from a Dickensian assemblage of the lowest and highest elements of society, from John Ruskin to the tawdry women of the dockside brothels. Soon enough, he uncovers evidence of unspeakable depravity, but can it be believed? Acclaimed historian James Wilson's debut novel offers a "compelling vision of the mean streets of London," a "marvelous period-piece mystery" whose "vivid evocation of Turner's paintings -- the brooding colors and dark clues -- will haunt the reader" (Helen Parramore, Tampa Tribune). "[Wilson's] descriptions ... are as luminous, majestic, and mysterious as Turner's finest paintings; you may read them in awe." -- The Washington Post Book World "Irresistibly flavorful ... Wilson keeps a firm grip on our attention." -- Bruce Allen, The Boston Globe "Evocative and sophisticated ... Wilson's exacting, detailed descriptions of Victorian England ... make for vivid storytelling." -- Publishers Weekly

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From the Back Cover:

"His great achievement is that, as the story progresses, its texture increasingly resembles that of Turner’s paintings: seemingly effortless yet immaculately designed and executed." — Literary Review

"It is a devilishly clever book." — Matthew Sweet, The Independent

"James Wilson’s ambitious, intelligent and gripping first novel is about how we can ever know the whole truth about a life… The Dark Clue is rich with atmosphere and suspense." — Amanda Craig, Sunday Express

"The Dark Clue is James Wilson’s first novel, and a remarkable one…he has brought off something which is really difficult: to write a novel in the period when the greatest English novels were written, and to come up with something which is not an imitation but never rings false…Wilson has a rare story to tell and draw it out enticingly, teasingly, compellingly…Wilson has written a wonderfully entertaining novel…Read 50 pages and you will be gripped." — Allan Massie, The Scotsman

" The Dark Clue is beautifully written…an intriguing read." — Observer

"It’s a real thriller, I enjoyed it greatly…It was beautifully structured…I love London even more after reading this book." — Brenda Maddox

" The Dark Clue explores the way in which we cling to formal structures and its beauty lies in how it undermines its own formal devices. Neither parody nor pastiche…The fine writing, cameo appearances from a very floppy John Ruskin and romps round London make it enjoyable to read. The sense for Turner’s chiaroscuro, and for the formless darkness of the soul, make it shine." — Sophie Ratcliffe The Times

From the Inside Flap:

From the critically acclaimed author of The Earth Shall Weep, a haunting first novel set in Victorian England, as inventive and multi-faceted as the oil paintings of J.M.W. Turner, the elusive genius who lies at the novel?s heart.

When Walter Hartright -- the sheltered, upright character from Wilkie Collins?s classic mystery novel -- is commissioned to write a biography of England?s great Romantic landscape artist, J.M.W. Turner, he discovers the ?dark clue? hidden deep within the artist?s brilliant paintings. Obsessed with reconstructing a life that is shrouded in mystery and steeped in rumour, Walter seeks helps from a Dickensian assemblage of the lowest and highest elements of society -- the visionary John Ruskin, the haughty aristocrats, the desperate and the criminal. Soon enough, Walter uncovers evidence of unspeakable depravity, but can it be believed? Can the truth behind Turner?s myth possibly be freed from a tangled, rapidly expanding web of conspiracy? A string of breathtakingly dramatic incidents sends Walter into a harrowing downward spiral from which only his loving and capable sister-in-law, Marian Halcombe, can hope to rescue him.

James Wilson?s first book, The Earth Shall Weep, established him as a groundbreaking historian and evocative storyteller. His debut novel plumbs the myth of creative genius, offering not only a fast-moving historical thriller, but also a startling commentary on the problems of seeking truth and recording history. In the tradition of John Fowles?s The French Lieutenant?s Woman and Charles Palliser?s The Quincunx, The Dark Clue is a masterful fiction debut from one of the original voices of our time.

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