The Vivisector is the eighth published novel by Patrick White, winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature. First published in 1970, it details the lifelong creative journey of fictional artist/painter Hurtle Duffield. Named for its sometimes cruel analysis of Duffield and the major figures in his life, the book explores universal themes like the suffering of the artist, the need for truth and the meaning of existence.
Hurtle Duffield is born i...
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The Vivisector is the eighth published novel by Patrick White, winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature. First published in 1970, it details the lifelong creative journey of fictional artist/painter Hurtle Duffield. Named for its sometimes cruel analysis of Duffield and the major figures in his life, the book explores universal themes like the suffering of the artist, the need for truth and the meaning of existence.
Hurtle Duffield is born into a poor family who adopt him out to the wealthy Courtneys, who are seeking a companion for their hunchbacked daughter Rhoda. The all-knowing, precocious Hurtle gains artistic inspiration from Maman (his adoptive mother) and Rhoda, and this is a recurring theme that continues throughout the novel using later characters, the prostitute Nance, wealthy heiress Olivia Davenport, Greek mistress Hero Pavloussi and finally the child prodigy Kathy Volkov. He becomes quite famous and his paintings sell well, however he is largely unconcerned about...
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