The Secret Knowledge

The Secret Knowledge (2013) is the seventh novel by Scottish writer Andrew Crumey. it is his first since returning to his original UK publisher Dedalus Books, and was awarded a grant by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.[1] Part of the writing was done while the author was visiting fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study.[1][2]

The Secret Knowledge
First edition
AuthorAndrew Crumey
Cover artistDiego Rivera - Retrato de Adolfo Best Maugard - 1913
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical Fiction
Published2013
PublisherDedalus Books
Media typePaperback, e-book
ISBN9781909232563

Synopsis

In 1913, composer Pierre Klauer envisages marriage to his sweetheart and fame for his new work, The Secret Knowledge. Then tragedy strikes. A century later, concert pianist David Conroy hopes the rediscovered score might revive his own flagging career. Music, history, politics and philosophy become intertwined in a multi-layered story that spans a century. Revolutionary agitators, Holocaust refugees and sixties’ student protesters are counterpointed with artists and entrepreneurs in our own age of austerity. All play their part in revealing the shocking truth that Conroy must finally face – the real meaning of The Secret Knowledge.[3]

Themes

The novel is, in part, concerned with the concepts of the multiverse and quantum suicide, which have featured in previous novels by Crumey, and in articles and conference talks.[4][5] Specific reference is made to the anarchist Louis-Auguste Blanqui, and the philosophers Walter Benjamin and Theodor Adorno, both of whom appear as characters in the novel. Reference is made to motifs from Crumey's earlier novels, particularly the Rosier Corporation which appeared in Mobius Dick. The missing wife of pianist David Conroy (called Laura) appears to be the same character of that name, who appeared in Mobius Dick.

References
  1. Acknowledgement in book.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "The Secret Knowledge by Andrew Crumey : Our Books :: Dedalus Books, Publishers of Literary Fiction". Dedalusbooks.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  4. "Can the multiverse explain the course of history? – Andrew Crumey | Aeon Essays". Aeon.co. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)


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