Parrot and Olivier in America
Peter Carey
Knopf, Apr 20 2010, $26.95
ISBN: 9780307592620
In France, the aristocratic parents of Olivier-Jean-Baptist de Clarel de Barfleur are concerned with the safety of their son after his involvement with Louis XVIII, Napoleon III and Charles X. To keep him away from the guillotine, they ship him to the former colonies struggling with the concept of democracy.
Knowing how easily Oliver gets into trouble, his father hires John “Parrot” Larrit the impoverished printer’s son is sent with him as his secretary. Neither like nor respect the other. Oliver’s haughty mouth gets them in trouble in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and points in between while Parrot expedites them from one incident after another; having gotten his first hand training in the Australian penal colony.
Rotating perspective, this is a great fictionalized account of Alexis de Tocqueville’s travels in America. Jocular yet poignant, readers will appreciate the same event as seen radically different by the son of the aristocrats vs. the son of a widower engraver. Parrot and Olivier in America will make the short lists for historical novel of the year.
Harriet Klausner
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