The Great Stink
The Great Stink by Clare Clark, published by Harcourt in 2005, is a historical fiction novel that immerses readers in the tumultuous year of 1855. The story follows engineer William May, who returns home from the battlefields of the Crimea to undertake the daunting task of transforming London’s sewer system. As he grapples with his past and the challenges of his new role, he faces corruption and the looming threat of cholera epidemics, all while his sanity is tested by a murder that implicates him.
In this edition, readers will encounter a gripping narrative that intertwines psychological tension with historical elements. The novel delves into the complexities of May’s character as he navigates a world filled with vivid personalities, including Long Arm Tom, a scavenger in the sewers who becomes an unlikely ally. The Great Stink explores themes of innocence and guilt against the backdrop of a city in crisis, offering a rich tapestry of suspense and intrigue. With 356 pages, this English-language edition presents a compelling journey through a pivotal moment in history.
Official synopsis Publisher
It is 1855, and engineer William May has returned home to his beloved wife from the battlefields of the Crimea. He secures a job transforming London’s sewer system and begins to lay his ghosts to rest. Above ground, his work is increasingly compromised by corruption, and cholera epidemics threaten the city. But it is only when the peace of the tunnels is shattered by murder that William loses his tenuous hold on sanity. Implicated in the crime, plagued by visions and nightmares, even he is not sure of his innocence. Long Arm Tom, who scavenges for valuables in the subterranean world of the sewers and cares for nothing and no one but his dog, Lady, is William’s only hope of salvation. Will he bring the truth to light?
With extraordinarily vivid characters and unflinching prose that recall Year of Wonders and The Dress Lodger, The Great Stink marks the debut of an outstandingly talented writer in the tradition of the best historical novelists.
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