“A mix of offbeat composition and intoxicating insight….A maddeningly entertaining encore.”Publishers Weekly, starred review A wild and brilliant tale by the winner of the Man Booker Prize and one of our most original storytellers. On a Tuesday in terror-struck London, Blair and Bunny Heath become the first adult conjoined twins ever successfully separated. On a Tuesday in the war-torn Caucasus, Ludmila Derev accidentally kills her grandfather. By December, they find themselves trudging together through a snow field, staring down the barrel of a rebel’s gun.
Ludmila sets out on a journey west to save her family from starvation and marauding Gnez troops. Hers is an odyssey of sour wit, even sourer vodka, and a Soviet tractor probably running on goat’s piss. The Heath twins are released from a newly privatized institution rumored to have been founded for an illegitimate royal baby. They are plunged into a round-the-clock world churning with opportunity, rowdy with the chatter of freedom, self-empowerment, and sex. Dangerous cocktails and a Russian Brides Web site throw these unforgettable characters together with explosive results.
DBC Pierre’s second novel confirms his place in the ranks of today’s most audacious and acclaimed novelists.
Dive into the darkly comic and utterly captivating world of DBC Pierre's *Ludmila's Broken English: A Novel*, a Man Booker Prize-winning author's audacious follow-up that solidifies his reputation as one of contemporary literature's most original and thrilling voices. This isn't your typical read; prepare to be swept away on a whirlwind journey that throws together seemingly disparate lives in a chaotic dance of fate and circumstance. The narrative hinges on a series of bizarre events that ripple outward, connecting Ludmila, a woman living in the war-torn Caucasus, to Blair and Bunny Heath, newly separated conjoined twins navigating the bewildering landscape of modern-day London. Ludmila's life is abruptly altered when she accidentally kills her grandfather, setting her on a desperate trek westward to save her family from starvation amidst the brutality of the Gnez troops. Her journey is a stark and often darkly humorous odyssey filled with the grit and resilience of survival, fueled by sour wit, even sourer vodka, and a Soviet tractor that probably runs on something questionable. Expect a bleak, yet compelling look at the human spirit under immense pressure. Meanwhile, in London, the Heath twins are thrust into the throbbing heart of a newly privatized institution, shrouded in rumors of royal secrets. Their separation marks their entrance into a world teeming with opportunity, excess, and a deafening cacophony of freedom and self-empowerment. Imagine a world of intoxicating (and often dangerous) cocktails, the allure of quick fixes, and the chaotic promise of connection offered through the nascent world of online dating, specifically, a Russian Brides website. The novel's strength lies in Pierre's masterful weaving of these seemingly unrelated narratives. How do Ludmila, Blair, and Bunny's paths converge? Its a collision of cultures, circumstances, and desires, culminating in an explosive climax that exposes the absurdity and beauty of the human condition. Critics have lauded *Ludmila's Broken English* for its unconventional structure, its sharp, satirical wit, and its unflinching portrayal of characters grappling with profound personal crises against the backdrop of global instability. Pierre's prose is both poetic and visceral, creating an unforgettable reading experience. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions: laughter, shock, empathy, and perhaps even a touch of unease. This reprint edition allows a new generation of readers to experience the brilliance of DBC Pierre's writing. If you're looking for a book that challenges conventions, that pushes the boundaries of storytelling, and that stays with you long after you've turned the final page, *Ludmila's Broken English* is a must-read. Perfect for fans of contemporary literary fiction, dark humor, and suspenseful storytelling with a unique perspective. This paperback edition, published by W. W. Norton & Company, is ready to be added to your collection and spark conversation. Don't miss out on this modern classic.