4.0
A Fine and Private Place
ByPublisher Description
This classic ghost story from the author of The Last Unicorn follows Jonathan who’s been living in a cemetery with a raven as his only friend amongst the newly dead until he discovers a pair of ghostly lovers bearing an extraordinary gift—the final chance for his own happiness.
For nineteen years, Jonathan Rebeck has hidden from the world within the confines of a Bronx’s cemetery, making an abandoned mausoleum his secret home. He speaks with the newly dead as they pass from life to wherever spirits finally go, providing them with comfort, an understanding ear, and even the occasional game of chess.
But Mr. Rebeck’s reclusive life is disrupted. An impossible love has blossomed between two ghosts at Yorkchester Cemetery. Helped along by a cynical, talking raven and a mysterious security guard, these four souls must learn the true difference between life and death and make choices that really are forever.
Told with an elegiac wisdom and beauty, Peter S. Beagle’s first novel is, “One of literature’s most beautiful works about ghostly times and places...told with wit, charm, and a sense of individuality” (The New York Times Book Review).
For nineteen years, Jonathan Rebeck has hidden from the world within the confines of a Bronx’s cemetery, making an abandoned mausoleum his secret home. He speaks with the newly dead as they pass from life to wherever spirits finally go, providing them with comfort, an understanding ear, and even the occasional game of chess.
But Mr. Rebeck’s reclusive life is disrupted. An impossible love has blossomed between two ghosts at Yorkchester Cemetery. Helped along by a cynical, talking raven and a mysterious security guard, these four souls must learn the true difference between life and death and make choices that really are forever.
Told with an elegiac wisdom and beauty, Peter S. Beagle’s first novel is, “One of literature’s most beautiful works about ghostly times and places...told with wit, charm, and a sense of individuality” (The New York Times Book Review).
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities30 Reviews
4.0
Anna Mikulec
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Haley
Created about 2 months agoShare
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“Very pretty book. So many good quotes!! And it was funny.”
Star2d2
Created 2 months agoShare
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Mackenzie
Created 3 months agoShare
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“Overall Rating: 3/5
Literary fiction x magical realism x romance subplot
This story follows Mr. Rebeck, a man who has been living alone in an abandoned mausoleum for the last twenty years. He lives a simple and quiet life; the cemetery grounds have most of what he needs, and a talking raven brings him food daily. He speaks with the ghosts of newly deceased cemetery residents, helping them to gain comfort and understanding before moving on to whatever is next.
This is a very character driven book - the plot is extremely low stakes and not a lot of “action” happens from cover to cover. It’s also a very introspective book, having each character contemplate their contributions to life and the importance of their impact. Were they really living when they were alive? And what does it mean to really be dead?
Thank you to Saga Press for the ARC copy for review!”
About Peter S. Beagle
Peter Beagle, noted author and screenwriter, is a recipient of the prestigious Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Mythopoeic Awards, and a World Fantasy and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America 2018 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master, among other literary achievements. He has given generations of readers the magic of unicorns, haunted cemeteries, lascivious trees, and disgruntled gods. A beloved author, his best-known work is The Last Unicorn.
Other books by Peter S. Beagle
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