Carpenter's Gothic

By: William Gaddis

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

This story of raging comedy and despair centers on the tempestuous marriage of an heiress and a Vietnam veteran. From their "carpenter Gothic" rented house, Paul sets himself up as a media consultant for Reverend Ude, an evangelist mounting a grand crusade that conveniently suits a mining combine bidding to take over an ore strike on the site of Ude's African mission. At the still center of the breakneck action is Paul's wife, Liz, and over it all looms the shadowy figure of McCandless, a geologist from whom Paul and Liz rent their house. As Paul mishandles the situation, his wife takes the geologist to her bed, and a fire and aborted assassination occur; Ude issues a call to arms as harrowing as any Jeremiad - and Armageddon comes rapidly closer.

Displaying Gaddis' inimitable virtuoso dialogue and his startling treatments of violence and sexuality, Carpenter's Gothic "shows again that Gaddis is among the first rank of contemporary American writers" (Malcolm Bradbury, The Washington Post Book World).

©1985 William Gaddis (P)2018 Tantor

Nick sullivan is spectacular

One of the best to do it, really captures the tone of gaddis’ dialogue. I already read this book several times but bought it just to listen to nick narrate it after listening to the recognitions and jr

the dialogue is superb

a brilliant example of great dialogue writing. the narrator's performances phenomenal. a work of art