D (A Tale of Two Worlds)

by Michel Faber

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Imagine one morning you awoke to find that the letter D had simply disappeared. Gone from conversation, books, signs … even things that start with the letter D have mysteriously vanished! And thus begins a wonderfully strange, imaginative, and thought-provoking adventure that you will not be able to put down. D (A Tale of Two Worlds) is a modern fable that evokes the magic of Narnia, Oz and Wonderland. A fantastical story of identity and moral courage that grips you like a thriller!

“Glorious. A story that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come.”—Neil Gaiman

A stunning modern-day Dickensian fable and a celebration of friendship and bravery for freethinkers everywhere.

It all starts on the morning the letter D disappears from language. First, it vanishes from Dhikilo’s parents’ conversation at breakfast, then from the road signs outside and from her school dinners. Soon the local dentist and the neighbor’s dalmatian are missing, and even the Donkey Derby has been called off.

Though she doesn’t know why, Dhikilo is summoned to the home of her old history teacher Professor Dodderfield and his faithful Labrador, Nelly Robinson. And this is where our story begins.

Set between England and the wintry land of Liminus, a world enslaved by the monstrous Gamp and populated by fearsome, enchanting creatures, D (A Tale of Two Worlds) is told with simple beauty and warmth. Its celebration of moral courage and freethinking is a powerful reminder of our human capacity for strength, hope and justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781335916747
Publisher:	Hanover Square Press
Publication date:	12/08/2020
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	141,802
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

MICHEL FABER has written seven other books, including the highly acclaimed The Crimson Petal and the White, The Fahrenheit Twins and the Whitbread-short-listed novel Under the Skin. The Apple, based on characters in The Crimson Petal and the White, was published in 2006. He has also written two novellas and has won several short story awards, including the Neil Gunn, Ian St. James and Macallan. Born in Holland and brought up in Australia, he now lives on the south coast of England.

Hometown:

A remote cottage in Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands

Date of Birth:

April 13, 1960

Place of Birth:

The Hague, Netherlands

Education:

Melbourne University

Website:

http://www.michelfaber.com

Editorial Reviews

A Strange delight…. A rare book that mature readers will appreciate on one level while younger readers enjoy on another.” -The Washington Post

“Glorious. A story that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come.” -Neil Gaiman

“If ever a book like this was needed, it is now. Dhikilo is a splendid heroine for our time: She stands for kindness, honesty and humanity. Her triumph will have readers rejoicing.” -Diane Setterfield

“Faber’s writing is so dizzyingly accomplished that he is able to convince you that, just sometimes, the old stories are the best ones.” -The Guardian

“This splendid tale will enchant readers of all ages.” -Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Clever and enjoyable, this Narnia-like work will delight any fantasy buff." -Library Journal

Past Praise for Michel Faber

“I can’t remember being so continually and unfailingly surprised by any book for a long time. Completely compelling and believable.” -Philip Pullman

“Remarkable. The fantastic is so nicely played against the day-to-day that one feels the strangeness of both.” -New York Times

“A work of originality and insight, as gripping as any thriller.” -The Times

‘Highly imaginative, unusual and thought-provoking.’ –Daily Mail

“Michel Faber never fails to tell his story with wit, intelligence and charm.” -Sunday Telegraph


"A fascinating, fantastic fever-dream of a novel… both brilliantly derivative and absolutely unique." -Bookreporter

From the Publisher

11/01/2020

Originally from Somaliland, Dhikilo is a high school student living in Cawber, a coastal town in England. One morning, she awakes to find that all the Ds have vanished from the English language—including the first letter of her name. More disturbingly, Dhikilo seems to be the only person who notices it! Slowly, items and even animals reliant on Ds (like dogs, for instance) are fading away owing to this bizarre letter disappearance. A dusty old professor seems to comprehend the growing problem and sends the young heroine on a surreal mission to the wintry land of Liminus to confront an enigmatic dictator known as Gamp. VERDICT Faber (The Crimson Petal and the White), an award-winning writer of short stories, fiction, and nonfiction, has created a thoroughly engaging young adult crossover fantasy that occasionally breaks the fourth wall by speaking directly to the reader midstory. Clever and enjoyable, this Narnia-like work will delight any fantasy buff.—Russell Miller, formerly with Prescott P.L., AZ

Library Journal