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The Resource A gambler's anatomy : a novel, Jonathan Lethem

A gambler's anatomy : a novel, Jonathan Lethem

Creator
Author
Summary
  • An international backgammon hustler, who has amassed a fortune through psychic tomfoolery, develops a large tumor on his face that compromises his vision and eventually threatens his life, forcing him to pursue an experimental surgery and contemplate existential questions
  • Handsome, impeccably tuxedoed Bruno Alexander travels the world winning large sums of money from amateur "whales" who think they can challenge his peerless acumen at backgammon. Fronted by his pasty, vampiric manager, Edgar Falk, Bruno arrives in Berlin after a troubling run of bad luck in Singapore. Perhaps it was the chance encounter with his crass childhood acquaintance Keith Stolarsky and his smoldering girlfriend Tira Harpaz. Or perhaps it was the emergence of a blot that distorts his vision so he has to look at the board sideways. Things don't go much better in Berlin. Bruno's flirtation with Madchen, the striking blonde he meets on the ferry, is inconclusive; the game at the unsettling Herr Kohler's mansion goes awry as his blot grows worse; he passes out and is sent to the local hospital, where he is given an extremely depressing diagnosis. Having run through Falk's money, Bruno turns to Stolarsky, who, for reasons of his own, agrees to fly Bruno to Berkeley, and to pay for the experimental surgery that might save his life. Berkeley, where Bruno discovered his psychic abilities, and to which he vowed never to return. Amidst the patchouli flashbacks and Anarchist gambits of the local scene, between Tira's come-ons and Keith's machinations, Bruno confronts two existential questions: Is the gambler being played by life? And what if you're telepathic but it doesn't do you any good? -- Provided by publisher
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Edition
First edition.
Extent
289 pages
Isbn
9780385539906
Instance
Label
A gambler's anatomy : a novel
Title
A gambler's anatomy
Title remainder
a novel
Statement of responsibility
Jonathan Lethem
Creator
Author
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
  • An international backgammon hustler, who has amassed a fortune through psychic tomfoolery, develops a large tumor on his face that compromises his vision and eventually threatens his life, forcing him to pursue an experimental surgery and contemplate existential questions
  • Handsome, impeccably tuxedoed Bruno Alexander travels the world winning large sums of money from amateur "whales" who think they can challenge his peerless acumen at backgammon. Fronted by his pasty, vampiric manager, Edgar Falk, Bruno arrives in Berlin after a troubling run of bad luck in Singapore. Perhaps it was the chance encounter with his crass childhood acquaintance Keith Stolarsky and his smoldering girlfriend Tira Harpaz. Or perhaps it was the emergence of a blot that distorts his vision so he has to look at the board sideways. Things don't go much better in Berlin. Bruno's flirtation with Madchen, the striking blonde he meets on the ferry, is inconclusive; the game at the unsettling Herr Kohler's mansion goes awry as his blot grows worse; he passes out and is sent to the local hospital, where he is given an extremely depressing diagnosis. Having run through Falk's money, Bruno turns to Stolarsky, who, for reasons of his own, agrees to fly Bruno to Berkeley, and to pay for the experimental surgery that might save his life. Berkeley, where Bruno discovered his psychic abilities, and to which he vowed never to return. Amidst the patchouli flashbacks and Anarchist gambits of the local scene, between Tira's come-ons and Keith's machinations, Bruno confronts two existential questions: Is the gambler being played by life? And what if you're telepathic but it doesn't do you any good? -- Provided by publisher
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Lethem, Jonathan
Index
no index present
Literary form
fiction
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Gambling
  • Backgammon
  • Psychic ability
  • Tumors
  • Humorous stories
  • Jeux de hasard
  • Backgammon
  • Facultés psychiques
  • Tumeurs
  • FICTION
  • FICTION
  • FICTION
  • Backgammon
  • Gambling
  • Psychic ability
  • Tumors
  • Gambling
  • Backgammon
  • Psychic ability
  • Cancer
  • Gambling
  • Tumors
Label
A gambler's anatomy : a novel, Jonathan Lethem
Instantiates
Publication
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Control code
936143522
Dimensions
25 cm
Edition
First edition.
Extent
289 pages
Isbn
9780385539906
Lccn
2016006646
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Note
WorldCat record variable field(s) change: 650
Other control number
  • 40026553107
  • 99969397645
System control number
(OCoLC)936143522
Label
A gambler's anatomy : a novel, Jonathan Lethem
Publication
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Control code
936143522
Dimensions
25 cm
Edition
First edition.
Extent
289 pages
Isbn
9780385539906
Lccn
2016006646
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Note
WorldCat record variable field(s) change: 650
Other control number
  • 40026553107
  • 99969397645
System control number
(OCoLC)936143522

Subject

Genre

Library Locations

    • Portland Public LibraryBorrow it
      5 Monument Square, Portland, ME, 04101, US
      43.657680 -70.258550
    • AnnexBorrow it
      Portland, ME, 04005, US

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