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Iain Pears
The 1660s were a time of great ferment-intellesctual, religious and political-and this is reflected in Pear`s text. The novel is centred ona suspicious death, that of Robert Grove, fellow of New College. We hear about it from four witnesses, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; the son of a supposed traitor to th Royalist cause, determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles 1l a mathematician, theologican and master spy; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiqary. Each of the first three witnesses…
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Iain Pears was born in Coventry in 1955. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford, he has worked as a journalist, an art historian and a television consultant. He is the author of seven highly praised detective novels, a book of art history and countless articles on artistic, financial and historical subjects, and An Instance of the Fingerpost.
topAbout the Book
The 1660s were a time of great ferment-intellesctual, religious and political-and this is reflected in Pear`s text. The novel is centred ona suspicious death, that of Robert Grove, fellow of New College. We hear about it from four witnesses, a Venetian Catholic intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; the son of a supposed traitor to th Royalist cause, determined to vindicate his father; John Wallis, chief cryptographer to both Cromwell and Charles 1l a mathematician, theologican and master spy; and Anthony Wood, the famous Oxford antiqary. Each of the first three witnesses is unreli-able and only Wood, in the final volume, reveals the truth. Brilliantly written, utterly convincing, gripping from the first page to the last, AN INSTANCE OF THE FINGERPOST is destined to be a major international bestseller.
topIain Pears interview/review
barnesandnoble 1988
- Who would you consider some of your literary influences? Why?
Robertson Davies, who was one of the (fairly few) authors I would have liked to have met. More than anyone in recent years, he managed to be profoundly serious, very funny, and an extraordinary storyteller. Lawrence Durrell, despite his many faults, because he avoided all of the pitfalls of recent English writing.
Among historical novelists, Lampedusa, Druon, and Yourcenar for their sense of atmosphere, and amongst historians (my main affection), Peter Brown, Ernst Gombrich, and Carlo Ginzburg for being smarter than anybody has a right to be. Early le Carré, for his amazing ability at structure, and Simenon among detective novelists, for a brevity I don’t seem to have any more.
- What initially compelled you to write about 1663 Restoration England?
Mainly because of the similarities to our own times — a period when a great ideology and movement suddenly collapsed (Puritanism and Republicanism then, socialism now), leaving people with a disjointed sense of who they were; also because (then as now) people had to confront the dangers and opportunities of scientific advance. Also because of the differences — the main one being the overwhelming importance of religion in everyday life.
- In addition to your fiction, you have written books on art and art history. Do you have any artistic aspirations of your own?
None whatsoever, luckily for the world. Can’t draw, can’t paint, and my singing frightens the animals.
- How would you describe your experience as a Reuters correspondent?
Enjoyable frenzy buried in long periods of waiting for something to happen. Having to see a story, write it up, and get it out within 60 seconds does cure you forever of writer’s block. And it demonstrated how interesting the oddest things can be sometimes. Even skiing and the foreign exchange markets.
- Having lived in various locations around the world, how do you enjoy living in Oxford, England?
More than I expected. The weather’s rotten, the food isn’t so good, and I miss Italy terribly, but it’s beautiful, I live a few minutes from everything I need, and I have no more commuting. And London is only an hour away, assuming the trains haven’t broken down again. Besides, I moved 20 times in 12 years, and that gets tiresome after a while.
topStarting Points for Discussion
- The death of Dr Robert Grove is the focal point for each of the four witness’s narrative. Grove is not a likeable character and no one seems to grieve for him after his death. Why does Iain Pears choose such a man’s death to be investigated so thoroughly?
- The structure of the novel, where the author recounts events through the eyes of four witnesses, who all differ in character, perception, backgrounds and opinion, is interesting in many ways. What do you consider to be the author’s purpose in presenting the book in this way, and what extra element does each witness bring to the novel as a whole?
- A large part of the novel is developed from the author’s use of historical events. Consider the historical events and the fictional plot both as separate entities and then as a whole. Does the historical intrigue add to the strength of the novel?
- The description and discussions of medical matters in the book hold much fascination for the reader. The debate about blood circulation and the description of the procedure of transfusion is exciting if unnerving. Think about the other experiments in the novel, the autopsies, the vivisection and other scientific activities that take place. What do they contribute to the novel?
- Sarah Blundy is the only fully drawn female character in a novel crowded with men. However, we only ever hear about her through the description of male protagonists. Is Sarah Blundy a strongly drawn character in her own right or merely a clever plot device?
- The reader is kept in suspense until the very last moment. Considering the length and complexity
Other Books by Iain Pears
Stone’s Fall
In his most dazzling and brilliant novel since An Instance of the Fingerpost,…
The Dream Of Scipio
Set in Provence at three different critical moments of Western Civilisation – …
Suggested Further Reading
- The Name of the Rose ~ Umberto Eco
- A Tale of Two Cities ~ Charles Dickens
- A Taste for Death ~ P D James
- The State of the Art ~ Iain Banks
- A Body in the Bath House ~ Lindsey Davies