Letterpress printer alix christies debut novel also asks profound questions. An enthralling literary debut that evokes one of the most momentous events in history, the birth of printing in medieval germanya story of invention, intrigu. Gutenbergs apprentice by alix christie about the book an enthralling literary debut that evokes one of the most momentous events in history, the birth of printing in medieval germany a story of invention, intrigue and betrayal, rich in atmosphere and historical detail, told through the lives of the three men who made it possible. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Gutenbergs apprentice by alix christie publishers lunch. Alix christie im a letterpress printer and was fascinated to learn in 2001 that gutenbergs first types were not as sophisticated as people had thought. Washington post a richly imagined, emotionally powerful, spectacularly convincing account of. Alix christies finely atmospheric debut novelis a worthy tribute to the technological revolution it reimagines, as well as a haunting elegy to the culture of print. In alix christies evocative and compelling novel, he comes vividly to life driven, caustic and ruthless. The novel begins with, and is punctuated by, the 60yearold schoeffers. Peter schoeffer is a very ambitious young man, called back to the german city of mainz to assist his father and an unnamed amazing man with an equally amazing project. Johann gutenberg is going to print a bible using movable type.
Washington post a richly imagined, emotionally powerful, spectacularly convincing account of one of the most important events in western history. Youthful, ambitious peter schoeffer is on the verge of professional success as a scribe in paris when his foster. The bible was the only book they could hope to sell in quantity that. Gutenbergs apprentice tells the story of, well, you guessed it gutenbergs apprentice. An extraordinary man who designed books with ansel adams, the. Gutenbergs apprentice by alix christie in principio erat verbum in the beginning was the word, well according to john 1. Demanding and sometimes devious, gutenberg proves a difficult boss. Gutenbergs apprentice gutenbergs apprentice audiobook, by alix christie. Next article an unabashed sales pitch for author events. This episode also includes an excerpt from the audio edition read by robert petkoff.
Alix christies gutenbergs apprentice renaissanceissues. She is a passionate printer and has researched the novel in detail over the last five years, bringing her personal. Alix christie is a journalist and writer based in london who has previously lived in the us, paris and berlin. Gutenbergs apprentice by alix christie published by harper on september 23rd 2014 genres. Gutenbergs apprentice christie, alix 9780062336019 hpb. Alix christies extraordinary book made me want to ponder the tremendous ruthlessness of history capital h intended, how it takes no prisoners when its gears begin to churn out global change. Alix christies debut novel puts a human face on the invention of the printing press and brings to the fore a little known third actor in the creation of johannes gutenbergs worldchanging bible. A novel by alix christie an enthralling literary debut that evokes one of the most momentous events in history, the birth of printing in medieval germanya story of invention, intrigue, and betrayal, rich in atmosphere and historical detail, told through the lives of the. Protagonist peter schoeffer is the apprentice of the title, and theres no fiction there. Behind him stands a brilliant young scribe, peter schoeffer, whose genius is to stay true to his artistic values in the cauldron of the printers workshop. This sentmore im a letterpress printer and was fascinated to learn in 2001 that gutenbergs first types were not as sophisticated as people had thought. Resentful at having to abandon a prestigious career as a scribe, peter begins his education in the darkest art. If you buy the book using that link, i will receive a small commission from the sale. As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any device with the free kindle app.
It is a mustread for anyone interested in the everchanging art of publishing. It does not need to be stated that this project turns out to be the printing press. Schoeffer was gutenbergs apprentice in the 1450s as the germans workshop developed moveable type. This post contains affiliate links which you can use to purchase the book. Gutenbergs apprentice is my favorite kind of historical novel, the kind that inspires me to stop every couple of chapters and think.
Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of north texas. Her debut novel, gutenbergs apprentice, was published in 2014. Johann gutenberg, a driven and caustic inventor, has devised a. Peter was the apprentice of johannes gensfleisch zur laden, called gutenberg. The story of the gutenberg bible download ebook pdf. Gutenbergs apprentice by alix christie librarything. Click download or read online button to get the story of the gutenberg bible book now. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. We know before we open alix christies 2014 novel gutenbergs apprentice how it will turn out.
Jessie burtons the miniaturist and more the new york. Printing history and church history mesh to make for compelling reading in the terrific first novel of alix christie, gutenbergs apprentice. Gutenbergs apprentice a superb novel catholic hotdish. I find them pretty boring in comparison with memoirs, diaries, and original documents of various kinds. Before 1450, bibles and every other kind of book had to be copied by hand by scribes, a long process that meant every book was precious but also that there were very few books and little. She has been a reporter and foreign correspondent for many years, and published widely in major international media, currently for the economist. Author, journalist and letterpress printer alix christie discusses her debut novel, gutenbergs apprentice onsale. This detailed historical novel takes readers into gutenbergs 15thcentury mainz workshop to experience the frustration and exhilaration of designing, typesetting, and rolling the first printed. Johann gutenberg, to his apprentice, peter schoeffer. Alix christie s finely atmospheric debut novelis a worthy tribute to the technological revolution it reimagines, as well as a haunting elegy to the culture of print. Gutenbergs apprentice by christie, alix when his foster father, a wealthy merchant and bookseller, finances johann gutenberg and his printing press, peter schoeffer is ordered to become gutenbergs apprentice and begins his education in the darkest art as they print copies of the holy bible, drawing the wrath of the church. The swift apprentice download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Author gutenbergs apprentice a novel by alix christie. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading gutenbergs apprentice.
In an interview, author alix christie paraphrases hilary mantel. For the past thirty years she has reported for newspapers in california and from europe as a foreign correspondent, including the washington post, guardian of london, the san francisco chronicle, and. An enthralling literary debut that evokes one of the most momentous events in history, the birth of printing in medieval germanya story of invention, intrigue, and betrayal. Meet the brilliant businessman behind the first printed book.
Alix christie did not bad in creating a novel from a part of the history of book printing, yet it takes its time until the story becomes intriguing. Alix christie has a good feeling for what it is to be around hand set printing, she is a letterpress printer herself. This sent me on a very long journey of discovery, in which i found that the great. Gutenbergs apprentice is, in large part, a depiction of the creative process. Youthful, ambitious peter schoeffer is on the verge of professional success as a scribe in paris when his foster father, the wealthy merchant and bookseller johann fust, summons him home to corruption riddled, feud. Fust is financing gutenbergs workshop and he orders peter, his adopted son, to become gutenbergs apprentice.
What i most disliked is that most of the characters stay quite underdeveloped, and those who are somewhat clearer characterised peter schoeffer, gutenberg. Fust is financing gutenbergs workshop and he orders peter, his adopted son. Alix christie an enthralling literary debut that evokes one of the most momentous events in history, the birth of printing in medieval germanya story of invention, intrigue, and gutenbergs apprentice a novel by alix christie. Gutenbergs apprentice is my favorite kind of historical novel, the kind that inspires me to stop every couple of chapters and ponder. By juxtaposing the lexicon of traditional printing with references to modern. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Gutenbergs apprentice is out in paperback, ebook and audiobook, and. Alix christie, writer and journalist alix christie. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy.
This ambitious but beautifully executed historical novel captures the life and times of half a millennium ago, and with the above parallels, draws us closer to todays publishing revolution. Alix christie, gutenbergs apprentice feb 5, 2015, 2. Gutenbergs apprentice by alix christie, 9781472220172, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Christie does a fabulous job of grounding the story of the printing of the bible in 1450s mainz, and she is particularly insightful in writing about the conflicts that.
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