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Albert Angelo: A Novel

Description:

Why don’t you take a permanent job, Albert? You’re twenty-eight now, you know,” his mother remarks when he goes on his weekend duty visit home. Albert Angelo is by vocation an architect and only by economic necessity working as a substitute teacher. He had thought he was, if not dedicated, at least competent. But now, on temporary assignments in schools located in the tough neighborhoods of London, Albert feels ineffectual. He is failing as a teacher and failing to fulfill himself as an architect. And then, too, he is pained by the memory of a failed love affair. “I’m trying to say something not tell a story telling stories is telling lies and I want to tell the truth,” Johnson insists in the penultimate section of the book when his authorial voice intervenes. Or, as Johan Thielman writes in The Review of Contemporary Fiction, “Johnson is trying to use fiction to reproduce life as closely as possible and, in his inevitable failure to succeed, he extends our notion of the possibilities of the novel…he made a body of work which remains fascinating, not in the least because he achieved one of his main ambitions: to be totally honest…His novels are the moving traces of a passionate devotion to and pursuit of his truth.”
Read more

From the Back Cover

An exhilarating, disturbing, and very unconventional book, 'Albert Angelo.'

About the Author

B. S. Johnson (Bryan Stanley Johnson) (1933-1973) was an English experimental novelist, poet, literary critic and filmmaker. He was born into a working-class family, was evacuated from London during World War II, and left school at sixteen to work as an accountant. However, he taught himself Latin in the evenings, and with this knowledge, managed to pass the university exam for King's College London. After he graduated Johnson wrote a series of increasingly experimental and often acutely personal novels. A critically acclaimed film adaptation of the last of the novels published while he was alive, Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry was released in 2000. Increasingly depressed by his failure to succeed commercially, and beset by family problems, Johnson committed suicide.

Reviews:

Unique writing by author way ahead of his time.

I. · June 17, 2016

Incredible novel, completely engrossing and hilariously funny at times. Tragic that B S Johnson died so young for he must have been way ahead of his time; think of what he could have accomplished if he'd lived. A veritable Mozart of the literary world.

a minor classic by an experimental english writer

c. · February 7, 1999

Albert Angelo tells the story of an aspiring London architect in the 1960s who is forced to earn a living by teaching in rough inner-City schools. This was Johnson's second novel and he displays some of the experiments and techniques for which he is famous - splitting the page between the inner thoughts and spoken words of a character, for example. Towards the end of the book the author violently interrupts the narrative to explain the true facts behind the writing of the novel. B S Johnson was a working class Londoner who was a disciple of Joyce and Beckett. His novels are hard to obtain but there is a growing recognition of his work and a realisation that he was, in many ways, ahead of his time. Picador are about to re-issue one of his most interesting books "The Unfortunates" which is a seeries of loose leaf pamphlets in a box.

Genre breaking novel

P. · July 12, 2014

B.S. Johnson is known for his boundary pushing novels and "Albert Angelo" is one of them. Telling the story of an aspiring architect (or is he?) who substitute teaches for a living, "Albert Angelo" breaks the "fourth wall", presents internal monologues side by side with narrative action, switches narrative perspective, and even works in other non-traditional modes of storytelling. The end result is an engaging, always compelling, at times quite funny portrait of a man who is, in many ways, not to be liked.While Johnson's unconventional forms can be accused of being gimmicky, "Albert Angelo" works because of the way the story and character is presented. Albert Angelo is not a likable man, yet because the specifics of his character faults are revealed in the uniquely parsed way that they are, the reader is not turned off. The only part of the story that does not work and seems forced (and out of nowhere) is the ending, in which Johnson admits that he is a novelist and writing a novel and thus he can do anything. Johnson already proves that through action in the book and the open admittance at the end is unnecessary.Regardless, "Albert Angelo" is well-worth the time.

Love it!

G. · December 16, 2014

Oddly satisfying..

Un piccolo capolavoro

T. · May 2, 2015

Questo libro è davvero un piccolo capolavoro, non riesco a capire come sia possibile che sia così poco conosciuto. In italiano abbiamo solo una traduzione di The Unfortunates, ma il catalogo di Johnson è pieno di gemme interessantissime."Albert Angelo", in particolare, ci porta attraverso un numero sterminato di stili e di spostamenti di punto di vista e tecnica (dal teatro, alla poesia, al monologo interiore, fino a pagine tagliate e esperimenti tipografici). E infine il colpo di scena finale, che è stata una piccola rivoluzione a suo tempo...Consigliatissimo!

NO HOLES!

l. · January 14, 2014

This book has no holes cut in the pages like in the original! If you just want to read the story take it, but if are searching for the original experimental book (the one with the holes) this is not your book.

Five Stars

M.K.L. · July 18, 2014

Superb!

No Holes!

A.C. · October 10, 2021

It's already been mentioned in another review (which I annoyingly missed before buying), but this edition does *not* contain what is the most well-known feature of the original, the holes. So don't buy this edition if that's what you're looking for.

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Albert Angelo: A Novel

Product ID: U0811210030
Condition: New

4.6

AED11467

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Similar items from “Literature & Fiction”

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Visit the New Directions Store

Albert Angelo: A Novel

Product ID: U0811210030
Condition: New

4.6

Albert Angelo: A Novel-0
Type: Paperback

AED11467

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

Why don’t you take a permanent job, Albert? You’re twenty-eight now, you know,” his mother remarks when he goes on his weekend duty visit home. Albert Angelo is by vocation an architect and only by economic necessity working as a substitute teacher. He had thought he was, if not dedicated, at least competent. But now, on temporary assignments in schools located in the tough neighborhoods of London, Albert feels ineffectual. He is failing as a teacher and failing to fulfill himself as an architect. And then, too, he is pained by the memory of a failed love affair. “I’m trying to say something not tell a story telling stories is telling lies and I want to tell the truth,” Johnson insists in the penultimate section of the book when his authorial voice intervenes. Or, as Johan Thielman writes in The Review of Contemporary Fiction, “Johnson is trying to use fiction to reproduce life as closely as possible and, in his inevitable failure to succeed, he extends our notion of the possibilities of the novel…he made a body of work which remains fascinating, not in the least because he achieved one of his main ambitions: to be totally honest…His novels are the moving traces of a passionate devotion to and pursuit of his truth.”
Read more

From the Back Cover

An exhilarating, disturbing, and very unconventional book, 'Albert Angelo.'

About the Author

B. S. Johnson (Bryan Stanley Johnson) (1933-1973) was an English experimental novelist, poet, literary critic and filmmaker. He was born into a working-class family, was evacuated from London during World War II, and left school at sixteen to work as an accountant. However, he taught himself Latin in the evenings, and with this knowledge, managed to pass the university exam for King's College London. After he graduated Johnson wrote a series of increasingly experimental and often acutely personal novels. A critically acclaimed film adaptation of the last of the novels published while he was alive, Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry was released in 2000. Increasingly depressed by his failure to succeed commercially, and beset by family problems, Johnson committed suicide.

Reviews:

Unique writing by author way ahead of his time.

I. · June 17, 2016

Incredible novel, completely engrossing and hilariously funny at times. Tragic that B S Johnson died so young for he must have been way ahead of his time; think of what he could have accomplished if he'd lived. A veritable Mozart of the literary world.

a minor classic by an experimental english writer

c. · February 7, 1999

Albert Angelo tells the story of an aspiring London architect in the 1960s who is forced to earn a living by teaching in rough inner-City schools. This was Johnson's second novel and he displays some of the experiments and techniques for which he is famous - splitting the page between the inner thoughts and spoken words of a character, for example. Towards the end of the book the author violently interrupts the narrative to explain the true facts behind the writing of the novel. B S Johnson was a working class Londoner who was a disciple of Joyce and Beckett. His novels are hard to obtain but there is a growing recognition of his work and a realisation that he was, in many ways, ahead of his time. Picador are about to re-issue one of his most interesting books "The Unfortunates" which is a seeries of loose leaf pamphlets in a box.

Genre breaking novel

P. · July 12, 2014

B.S. Johnson is known for his boundary pushing novels and "Albert Angelo" is one of them. Telling the story of an aspiring architect (or is he?) who substitute teaches for a living, "Albert Angelo" breaks the "fourth wall", presents internal monologues side by side with narrative action, switches narrative perspective, and even works in other non-traditional modes of storytelling. The end result is an engaging, always compelling, at times quite funny portrait of a man who is, in many ways, not to be liked.While Johnson's unconventional forms can be accused of being gimmicky, "Albert Angelo" works because of the way the story and character is presented. Albert Angelo is not a likable man, yet because the specifics of his character faults are revealed in the uniquely parsed way that they are, the reader is not turned off. The only part of the story that does not work and seems forced (and out of nowhere) is the ending, in which Johnson admits that he is a novelist and writing a novel and thus he can do anything. Johnson already proves that through action in the book and the open admittance at the end is unnecessary.Regardless, "Albert Angelo" is well-worth the time.

Love it!

G. · December 16, 2014

Oddly satisfying..

Un piccolo capolavoro

T. · May 2, 2015

Questo libro è davvero un piccolo capolavoro, non riesco a capire come sia possibile che sia così poco conosciuto. In italiano abbiamo solo una traduzione di The Unfortunates, ma il catalogo di Johnson è pieno di gemme interessantissime."Albert Angelo", in particolare, ci porta attraverso un numero sterminato di stili e di spostamenti di punto di vista e tecnica (dal teatro, alla poesia, al monologo interiore, fino a pagine tagliate e esperimenti tipografici). E infine il colpo di scena finale, che è stata una piccola rivoluzione a suo tempo...Consigliatissimo!

NO HOLES!

l. · January 14, 2014

This book has no holes cut in the pages like in the original! If you just want to read the story take it, but if are searching for the original experimental book (the one with the holes) this is not your book.

Five Stars

M.K.L. · July 18, 2014

Superb!

No Holes!

A.C. · October 10, 2021

It's already been mentioned in another review (which I annoyingly missed before buying), but this edition does *not* contain what is the most well-known feature of the original, the holes. So don't buy this edition if that's what you're looking for.

More from this brand

Similar items from “Literature & Fiction”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0811210030