From Publishers Weekly
The new novel from the author of The Year of Living Dangerously is set in his native Australia. While recovering from polio, young Richard Miller becomes addicted to fairy tales and to his toy theater"life at one remove." A sense of life's doubleness is reinforced by his Catholic education in the truth of the Spirit as opposed to the Flesh. But at 17, in an affair with an older married woman, he's awakened to earthly entertainments, and some time later, entranced by the music of a folk group presided over by the elusive Mr. Broderick (master of the guitar and of occult arts), he quits school to pursue his own artistic ambitionsfirst as actor, then as producer. In the 1960s the folk group, now specializing in English and Scottish ballads, reappears and persuades the young producer to take them on. Their ensuing success is a fairy tale come trueevil potions and black magic included. By the end of this intriguing if somewhat heavy-handed allegory of good and evil, of art and religion, which probes the distinction between escapist and moral innocence, Richard is reconsidering the spiritual values of the Church. 25,000 first printing; $20,000 ad/promo. March 3
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Clive Broderick, guitar-teacher and occultist - the Doubleman of the title of this acclaimed novel - is speaking of power, and of a realm beyond reality. This is a fable of the sixties, when shared belief-systems crumbled, and the spiritual bazaars of today opened up. Christopher Koch's theme is illusion; and all his characters are bound by it. The Rymers are an electric folk group enjoying mounting success in Sydney. Their producer, Richard Miller, came under Broderick's spell during his youth in Tasmania; so did the guitarists Brady and Burr. Now, years after his death, Broderick's presence remains with all three. Through his disciple, Burr, it will lead to nightmare. THE DOUBLEMAN WAS WINNER OF THE 1985 MILES FRANKLIN AWARD.
