The Fisher King (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Anthony Powell
- First Published: 1986
- Type of Work: Psychological realism
- Time of Work: The early 1980’s
- Setting: On board the Alecto, cruising around the British Isles
- Principal Characters: Saul Henchman, Barberina Rookwood, Valentine Beals, Louise Beals, Plers Mlddlecote, Fay Middlecote, Gary Lamont, Robln Jllson
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: Voyages, Love or romance, Authors or writers, Literature, 1980’s, Legends, Fantasy, Mysteries, Ships, Photography or photographers, Disabilities or physically challenged persons, Ballet or ballet dancers
- Locales: England, Oceans
The Novel
Anthony Powell employs a variety of narrative forms to recount the drama of the Alecto’s cruise; each fresh perspective adds to the irony of the novel. The structure is reminiscent of the English “whodunit”: A small, enclosed society—in this case isolated aboard a ship—attempts to solve a mystery in its midst. There is no murder at the core of The Fisher King, but rather a puzzle involving the vagaries of the human heart. Saul Henchman is the ultimate enigma: Famous for his photographs, controversial for his manner of living, pitied for his...
[The entire page is 2372 words long]
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