The Essence of the Thing
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 First edition | |
| Author | Madeleine St John |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary |
| Publisher | Fourth Estate, London |
Publication date | 1997 |
| Media type | Print Paperback |
| Pages | 234 pp |
| ISBN | 1857024184 |
| Preceded by | A Pure Clear Light |
| Followed by | A Stairway to Paradise |
The Essence of the Thing (1997) is a novel by Australian author Madeleine St John. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 1997. The novel is uniquely formatted, having a total of 69 chapters in just 234 pages. St John aims to depict the titular essence of a specific thing in each individual chapter.
The novel begins suddenly with the harsh end of the relationship between the protagonist Nicola Gatling and her lover Jonathan. As Nicola returns from a trip to the shops to get some cigarettes, she is told by Jonathan that he wants her to move out of the apartment they just decided to purchase together. Leaning on family and friends, Nicola attempts to remake her life over the ensuing several weeks in 1990s London.
Awards
- 1997 shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize