Author:Goethe,David Constantine,A. S. Byatt
Goethe's Faust reworks the late-medieval myth of Dr Faust, a brilliant scholar so disillusioned he resolves to make a contract or wager with the devil, Mephistopheles. The devil will do all he asks on Earth and seek to grant him a moment in life so glorious that he will wish it to last for ever. But if Faust does bid the moment stay, he falls to Mephisto and must serve him after death. In this first part of Goethe's great work the embittered thinker and Mephistopheles enter into their agreement, and soon Faust is living a life beyond his study and - in rejuvenated form - winning the love of the charming and beautiful Gretchen. But in this compelling tragedy of arrogance, unfulfilled desire and self-delusion, Faust, served by the devil, heads inexorably towards destruction.
A treasure-trove, an adventure trail and a cabinet of wonders
—— Andrew MotionIt's a brilliant concept and should give a lot of pleasure to all ages
—— Daily MailPoem for the Day Two is the poetry book I read every day. It is a total joy
—— Carol Ann DuffyPraise for Poem of the Day: 'This book is a dream, a revivalist campaign, a challenge, a fundraising vehicle, a book of days and an anthology, all in one'
—— GuardianAddictive... Exhilarating... A pleasure
—— Evening StandardMurakami's most addictive fix to date
—— IndependentEngrossing and wildly inventive
—— Times Literary SupplementLaden with philosophical overtones and enchanting wit
—— ObserverMurakami's exquisitely simple prose and deft evocation of the surreal are captivating and sublime
—— Sunday TimesThe mysteries are never tainted by explanation, merely beautifully described, delivering a hypnotic read
—— Times Higher Education Supplement'For sheer love of a thumping narrative, the novel delivers gloriously-Inventive, alluring' David Mitchell
—— Guardian'Murakami's most addictive fix to date'
—— Independent'Engrossing and wildly inventive'
—— Times Literary SupplementTop marks. Fantastic
—— HeatLovely
—— Daily TelegraphMoving and intelligent
—— IndependentMagnetic, unpretentious and bursting with one-liners
—— CosmopolitanFans of chick-lit will understand when I say that this is a book you simply disappear into
—— Sunday Telegraph