The Alteration Book

Hubert Anvil’s voice rose above the sound of the choir and full orchestra, reaching the vertex of the loftiest dome in the Old World and the western doors of the longest nave in Christendom. For this was the Cathedral Basilica of St George at Coverley, the mother church of all England and of the English Empire overseas. A novel of an alternative world, a country and a world caught in the grip of suspended scientific and technological development, in thrall to a higher power. Hubert Anvil is a 10 year old boy blessed with the voice of an angel. The Church hierarchy decrees that Hubert should be turned into a castrato - an alteration that could bring Hubert fame and fortune, but would also cut him off from an adult world he is curious to discover. In a dystopian world where Martin Luther never reformed and where the Holy Office's power is absolute, where will Hubert turn if he decides to defy their wishes? ‘One of the best — possibly the best — alternate world novels in existence.’ – Philip K. Dick Ranked in the top 20 for The Times list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945, Kingsley Amis was a novelist, critic and poet with a knack for satire and acute observation of the national mood. He is best known for his debut novel Lucky Jim as well as other works of fiction including Take a Girl Like You, I Want it Now, Ending Up, Difficulties With Girls, The Alteration and The Old Devils (for which he won The Booker Prize).Read More