Mary Novik’s 17th century novel, Conceit is a beautifully written story about the daughter of the famed poet, John Donne.

Almost tragic in her obsession with her parent’s legendary love-affair, the protagonist, Pegge Donne, explores the depths of passion, betrayal, sexuality and her own attempt to navigate a confusing and perilous era in England, not only politically, but socially.

Novik’s handling of the subject matter is with a cool authorial voice, almost clinical, a striking, sometimes disturbing, counterpoint to the very gritty, sweaty subject matter with which she deals.

I’ll be thinking about this novel for some days to come.

ISBN: 9780385662055

Hardcover

416 Pages, 5.99 x 7.98 x 1.17 in

Doubleday Canada