The Chimes
No. of pages 304
Published: 2015
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There are 304 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton General Division (Digital) .
Anna Smaill was born in Auckland in 1979. A classically trained violinist, she holds an MA in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters (Wellington), an MA in English Literature from the University of Auckland and a PhD in contemporary American poetry from University College London. She is the author of one book of poetry ( The Violinist in Spring , VUP 2005) and her poems have been published and anthologised in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. She has lived and worked in both Tokyo and London, and now lives in New Zealand with her husband, novelist Carl Shuker, and their daughter.
Entrancingly poetic and engagingly plotted, this is a story that brims with heart and soul. * Kirkus reviews *
Cleverly orchestrated and poignantly conveyed throughout. * Guardian *
For a story about music, The Chimes is a triumph on the printed page.
* SFX Magazine *
Anna Smail's ambition fiction debut is a strange, compelling tale; full of musical metaphors and striking imagery, it is wildly imaginative and challenging. * Choice Magazine *
An exciting debut, a book full of rhythm, energy and melody... There's no doubt Smaill has created a distinctive and impressive debut, one that dares to create its own music. * The List *
The pleasure lies in getting to grips with the rules of this eerie dystopia and the unusual vocabulary Smaill has minted to describe it. * Metro *
Strangely compelling * Sainsbury's Magazine *
To call The Chimes striking is I dare say to underplay what might be the most distinctive debut of the decade. * Tor.com *
Atmospheric, intensely-imagined strangeness * Daily Mail *
A dazzling debut piece of fantasy that marries great writing with compelling narrative. And the world Smaill has invented, where memory has been replaced by music and people cling to objects that link them to their pasts, is brilliantly imagined.... a serious book with serious talent behind it. * New Zealand Herald *
A genuinely originalnovel that has all the tension of a well-told, gripping thriller, but which is elevated well above the ordinary by its shining, lyrical language. The author has created a believable, consistent and vivid world... * Clare Morrall *
Dystopian fiction but not quite as we know it... Smaill's particular melodious inventiveness makes her story her own. * Independent *
Smaill is a former musician with a book of poetry already to her name. The Chimes has strong echoes of both these influences as we're taken on a strange and lyrical journey through a dystopian England . . . The intrinsic links between music and memory suffuse this dreamy narrative . . . the idiosyncratic world [that] Smaill has lovingly created using melodic and musical syntax - her narrative style brimming with invention and nuance. * The Big Issue *
The novel is hypnotic, melancholic and requires concentration, but it builds to an incredibly tense and emotionally satisfying climax that rewards all the effort. * Elle *
An enthralling read. * The Lady *
WINNER OF THE 2016 WORLD FANTASY AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL AND NOMINATED FOR THE 2015 MAN BOOKER PRIZE
This is a story that rivets us from the beginning but, for those wanting more, there are delicious depths that change an excellent story into an equally excellent thought provoking fable. As if that isn't enough, it also convinces us that Anna is a very clever lady. ... hugely compelling ... Oh yes, this is definitely a 'Wow!' book. * The Bookbag *
SUPERB... intriguing, ambitious and strikingly written. * James Kidd, Independent on Sunday *
Magical, tender, thought provoking and stunningly imaginative. * Lindsay Hawdon, author of JAKOB'S COLOURS *
The Chimes is a remarkable debut. It's inventive, beautifully written, and completely absorbing. I highly recommend it. * Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDS *
Cleverly orchestrated * Guardian *
WINNER OF THE 2016 WORLD FANTASY AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL AND NOMINATED FOR THE 2015 MAN BOOKER PRIZE
lyrical debut * Sunday Express *