The Dismal Science

The Dismal Science A Novel

First US edition

Paperback (28 Jan 2014)

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Includes delivery to the United States

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Publisher's Synopsis

The Dismal Sciencetells of a middle-aged vice president at the World Bank, Vincenzo D'Orsi, who publicly quits his job over a seemingly minor argument with a colleague. A scandal inevitably ensues, and he systematically burns every bridge to his former life. After abandoning his career, Vincenzo, a recent widower, is at a complete loss as to what to do with himself. The story follows his efforts to rebuild his identity without a vocation or the company of his wife.

An exploration of the fragile nature of identity,The Dismal Sciencereveals the terrifying speed with which a person's sense of self can be annihilated. It is at once a study of a man attempting to apply his reason to the muddle of life and a book about how that same ostensible rationality, and the mathematics of finance in particular, operates—with similarly dubious results—in our world.

Book information

ISBN: 9781935639725
Publisher: Tin House Books
Imprint: Tin House
Pub date:
Edition: First US edition
DEWEY: 813.6
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Number of pages: 275
Weight: 318g
Height: 196mm
Width: 117mm
Spine width: 25mm