A Gambler's Anatomy
A Gambler's Anatomy (published as The Blot in the United Kingdom) is a 2016 novel by American author Jonathan Lethem. The plot concerns Alexander Bruno, a professional backgammon player with "psychic tendencies". The novel received mixed reviews and was compared negatively to other novels by Lethem.[1]
.png.webp) Cover of first edition | |
| Author | Jonathan Lethem |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
Publication date | 2016 |
Plot
Alexander Bruno is a gambler who encounters a high school friend, Keith Stolarsky, who has made a fortune in real estate. After their meeting, Keith agrees to pay for an expensive surgery Bruno needs to survive, and later becomes Bruno's romantic rival.
Reception
The novel received mixed reviews,[2] with some praise for the caliber of his writing, and Lethem's ability to combine elements from multiple genres.[2][3] Dwight Garner referred to Lethem's naming conventions as "Pynchonian" and compared the central antagonist, Keith, to Maurice Conchis, from John Fowles's novel The Magus.[4]
See also
References
- Semley, John (21 October 2016). "Review: Jonathan Lethem's A Gambler's Anatomy is a low-key meditation on identity". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- Charles, Ron (11 October 2016). "'A Gambler's Anatomy': Meet the James Bond of backgammon". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- Chee, Alexander (21 October 2016). "Alexander Chee on Jonathan Lethem's 'A Gambler's Anatomy': 'Oceans 11' meets 'Escape to Witch Mountain' meets a meningioma". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- Garner, Dwight (11 October 2016). "In Jonathan Lethem's 'A Gambler's Anatomy,' a Hustler's Luck Turns Cold". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 January 2017.