The Meaning of Night

By: Michael Cox

Narrated by: David Timson

A cold October night, 1854.

In a dark passageway, an innocent man is stabbed to death.

So begins the extraordinary story of Edward Glyver, book lover, scholar and murderer. As a young boy, Glyver always believed he was destined for greatness. This seems the stuff of dreams, until a chance discovery convinces Glyver that he was right: greatness does await him, along with immense wealth and influence. And he will stop at nothing to win back a prize that he now knows is rightfully his.

Glyver's path leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most enchanting country houses. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onwards, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt.

Thirty years in the writing, The Meaning of Night is a stunning achievement. Full of drama and passion, it is an enthralling novel that will captivate listeners right up to its final thrilling revelation.

Includes an exclusive recorded interview with the author.

©2006 Michael Cox (P)2006 W F Howes Ltd

great narration

A very interesting story of anger and revenge. Wonderful narration!

Pantomime

I enjoy most of the Victorian classic writers, but this modern attempt to emulate them simply did not work for me. John Fowles managed the trick masterfully, but Michael Cox does not. The book simply seemed to be trying too hard, with characters speaking as wooden caricatures, and cliches rolling in thick and fast. This was not helped by the narrator, who played it out as an amateur pantomime. I'm aware that the book has had rave reviews, so others may well enjoy it.