Journalist George Oaks and his friend Albert Kemp, a mystery novelist, are on their way to meet their friend, the celebrated philosopher Dr. Monacelli. But when a clerical mix-up leads to their meeting the American gangster Monty Cello instead, Oaks and Kemp quickly find themselves caught up in a bizarre and dangerous plot involving a murdered reporter, a missing scientist, and a group of powerful madmen with a plan to destroy the world as we know it. It’s a race against time as Oaks and Kemp must infiltrate the villains’ stronghold and save humanity before it’s too late!
Equal parts hard-boiled crime novel and apocalyptic science fiction tale, *The Great Wash* (1953) is one of the most exciting novels by Gerald Kersh (1911-1968), who is best known for his classics *Night and the City* (1938) and *Fowlers End* (1957). *Fowlers End* and four volumes of Kersh’s strange and brilliant short fiction are also available from Valancourt.
CONTEMPORARY REVIEWS
“An extravaganza . . . fertile invention and forceful style . . . Mr. Kersh’s many admirers will undoubtedly devour this highly flavoured hotch-potch with avidity.” – Julian Maclaren-Ross, *Sunday Times*
“A notable contribution to the few actually terrifying tales of science fiction.” – *Saturday Review*
“[F]irst-rate Kersh, richly peopled with the odd bit roles he sketches so well and written with style and individuality.” – Anthony Boucher, *New York Herald Tribune*
“Sometimes funny, sometimes nightmarish, always first-class entertainment.” – Basil Davenport, *New York Times*
Description:
Journalist George Oaks and his friend Albert Kemp, a mystery novelist, are on their way to meet their friend, the celebrated philosopher Dr. Monacelli. But when a clerical mix-up leads to their meeting the American gangster Monty Cello instead, Oaks and Kemp quickly find themselves caught up in a bizarre and dangerous plot involving a murdered reporter, a missing scientist, and a group of powerful madmen with a plan to destroy the world as we know it. It’s a race against time as Oaks and Kemp must infiltrate the villains’ stronghold and save humanity before it’s too late! Equal parts hard-boiled crime novel and apocalyptic science fiction tale, *The Great Wash* (1953) is one of the most exciting novels by Gerald Kersh (1911-1968), who is best known for his classics *Night and the City* (1938) and *Fowlers End* (1957). *Fowlers End* and four volumes of Kersh’s strange and brilliant short fiction are also available from Valancourt. CONTEMPORARY REVIEWS “An extravaganza . . . fertile invention and forceful style . . . Mr. Kersh’s many admirers will undoubtedly devour this highly flavoured hotch-potch with avidity.” – Julian Maclaren-Ross, *Sunday Times* “A notable contribution to the few actually terrifying tales of science fiction.” – *Saturday Review* “[F]irst-rate Kersh, richly peopled with the odd bit roles he sketches so well and written with style and individuality.” – Anthony Boucher, *New York Herald Tribune* “Sometimes funny, sometimes nightmarish, always first-class entertainment.” – Basil Davenport, *New York Times*