New Cardiff

By Charles Webb

Book Overview

As a discerning reader of nineteenth-century American fiction, Englishman Colin Ware is familiar with the tradition of transcending disastrous love affairs by booking the next ocean liner to Europe. Now that he has experienced the pain and humiliation of heartache firsthand, he decides to try this cure in reverse. New Cardiff, Vermont, may be an infinitesimal blot on the rural American landscape, but to Colin it's the ideal place to mend his broken heart. The townsfolk are a quirky, endearing lot, and they welcome the migrating artist into their fold. Colin does his part by capturing his adopted countrymen and women in charcoal and ink. He even discovers love again -- with Mandy, an attendant at the Shining Shores nursing home. When Colin's ex arrives to woo him back to her and his native land, he has to choose between his new love and the woman he's known for years. With its pitch-perfect dialogue, New Cardiff takes readers on the exhilarating cross-cultural odyssey of a man hurtling headlong into life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743444167
• ISBN13: 9780743444163
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Wit and literacy

One of the funniest, witty stories I've read in a long time.Brit artist escapes collapsed love affair to regain equilibrium in a New England town. Webb's dialogue has not been bettered for sure-eared parody of English as she is spoke both sides of the Atlantic. I assume CW is American, and he lives in England, which explains his utter skill.It's slated for a movie, and what a killer it'll make, and what plum parts all round.A brilliant touch is to have sketches of the people that the central character draws and they are perfect. The temptation is to turn to the end of the chapter to see what 'Fred' (Webb's partner) has come up with. Every one a winner.I've given it as a gift to so many loved ones and with one accord they've phoned to thank and congratulate on my unerring choice. Of course, what else from the pen of 'The Graduate'? But this really *is* special and no one will be disappointed.

Enjoy...

This is a light read, breezy, and very entertaining story. Although the outcome is predictable, Charles Webb keeps you focused on dialogue and character development.Can't wait for the movie!

Charming, engaging read!

This was such a fun read, very quick with immediately engaging characters. It is a lot of dialog so if you like Nick Hornby's "About A Boy" or similar type novels then you'd probably enjoy this one too.

simply beautiful

This book is a joy. New Cardiff is almost entirely dialogue, with sparce description. Every detail is poignant, nothing is gratuitous. It may be hard to imagine that a book in which the storytelling is so simple could infuse it's characters with such complete personalities and so much truth. Webb knows his characters so well that it only takes a few words to make them come to life. New Cardiff is a romantic comedy, so if you're looking for a book which boasts profound social commentary,(not to say that his observations of american culture aren't precise and hilarious, Webb has a sharp, artistic eye) this is not for you. Webb doesn't boast anything at all. Webb's gift for not taking himself too seriously may cause some readers not to take this delightful novel seriously. There are those who say the work of Jane Austen is trivial, so I suspect that this book, for all it's humor, inteligence, irony, and exhilerating lack of vanity, will face similar criticism. But in this readers mind, there is nothing less trivial than love, art, or laughter. I am so pleased to know that there is a movie being made with Colin Firth and Heather Graham in the lead roles. Inspired casting!