Skios

Skios

First edition
Author Michael Frayn
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Farce
Publisher Faber & Faber (UK)
Metropolitan Books (US)
Publication date
 May 01 2012 (UK)
June 19, 2012 (US)
Media type Print
Pages 272 pgs
ISBN 0-571-28141-9

Skios is a 2012 comic novel by Michael Frayn.[1] The novel was published in May 2012 by Faber & Faber in the UK and by Metropolitan Books the following month in the US. It centres on a group of individuals on the fictional Greek island of Skios.[2]

Synopsis

When it's announced that the keynote address of an influential foundation will be given by Dr. Norman Wilfred, everyone expects him to live up to his reputation as being an intimidating man with a dry personality. Much to everyone's surprise, Wilfred is not only charming but is also young and handsome- much to the delight of foundation organizer Nikki. However at the other end of the island Nikki's friend Georgie is trapped with a rather unpleasant individual... who also goes by the name of Dr. Norman Wilfred and has lost everything he owns other than a lecture on his speciality, scientometrics.

Reception

Critical reception for Skios has been mixed, with a reviewer for the Guardian criticizing the characters as "bland" and "by-the-numbers".[3] Common criticisms of the book included negative comparisons to Frayn's earlier works and skepticism over the idea of mistaken identity "in the age of Google images".[4][5][6] Praise for Skios centered on the book's usage of the "niceties of class" and lightheartedness.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ "SKIOSby Michael Frayn (Metropolitan)". New Yorker. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "MICHAEL FRAYN DISCUSSES HIS NOVEL SKIOS". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  3. ↑ Tait, Theo (26 April 2012). "Skios by Michael Frayn – review". London: Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Witchel, Alex (15 June 2012). "Fantasy Island ‘Skios,’ a Novel by Michael Frayn". New York Times. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  5. ↑ KAKUTANI, MICHIKO (27 June 2012). "For a Blonde Like That, Why Not Be Someone Else?". New York Times. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  6. ↑ House, Christian (27 May 2012). "Skios, By Michael Frayn". The Independent (London). Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Bryne, Kathleen (3 August 2012). "Greece, gods and amiable young idiots in Michael Frayn’s latest". Toronto: Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Carey, Barbara (14 July 2012). "Skios by Michael Frayn: Review". Toronto: The Star. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
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