The Puppet

In the legacy of contemporary classic John Fowles — perhaps the greatest British writer of the 20th century — the novel "The Puppet" occupies a special place, essentially serving as his creative testament. In his last major work, the author of the world-famous bestsellers "The Collector," "The Magus," "The French Lieutenant's Woman," "Daniel Martin," and "The Ebony Tower" infused all his accumulated intellectual and spiritual baggage, all his honed craftsmanship developed over decades. The novel is published in a new translation. Moreover, it is the first time it is released in Russian entirely: the fragments from the chronicling section of the London monthly "Gentleman's Magazine" that are woven into the fabric of the novel are translated, which not only form a picturesque panorama of the era but also contain the key to a possible unraveling of what is happening. And what is happening in the novel is exceedingly mysterious. Who was "Mr. Bartholomew" and what goal did he pursue on that May day in 1736 in a remote corner of West England? Where did he disappear to, and who were his companions really? The landscapes of old England, a detective plot with elements of mysticism, cunning intrigues, and mysterious occurrences serve as a magnificent backdrop for Fowles' profound psychological study, in which he reveals themes so characteristic of his work: the relativity of knowledge and truth, the limits of human freedom, the historical roots of modern civilization.