"Ian R. Macleod - The Light Ages" - читать интересную книгу автора (Macleod Ian R)

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First American edition: May 2003
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data


MacLeod, Ian R., 1956–
The light ages : a novel / by Ian R. MacLeod.
p. cm.
ISBN 0–441–01055–5
1. Yorkshire (England)—Fiction. 2. London (England)—Fiction. I. Title.


PR6063.A24996L54 2003
823'.914—dc21
2003045111


PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


To my wonderful daughter Emily,


who helped me stand for a while on the Turning Tower.


With love.
 PART ONE

GRANDMASTER

I still see her now.


I see her in the poorest parts of London. Beyond the new iron
bridges which bear the trams above the ferries, where the Thames
spreads her fingers through tidal mud. I see her in a place beyond even
the furthest rookeries of the Easterlies, although you will not find it on
any maps. Plagued with flies and dragonlice and the reek of city effluent
in summer, greyed with smog and ice in winter, even the foulest
factories turn their backs away.