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The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley
Sean Lusk
In 1754, renowned maker of clocks and automata Abel Cloudesley must raise his new-born son Zachary when his wife dies in childbirth.
Growing up amongst the cogs and springs of his father's workshop, Zachary is intensely curious, ferociously intelligent, unwittingly funny and always honest - perhaps too honest. But when a fateful accident leaves six-year-old Zachary nearly blinded, Abel is convinced that the safest place for his son is in the care of his eccentric Aunt Frances and her menagerie of weird and wonderful animals.
So when a precarious job in Constantinople is offered to him, Abel has no reason to say no. A job presented to him by a politician with dubious intentions, Abel leaves his son, his workshop and London behind. The decision will change the course of his life forever.
Since his accident, Zachary is plagued by visions that reveal the hearts and minds of those around him. A gift at times and a curse at others, it is nonetheless these visions that will help him complete a journey that he was always destined to make - to travel across Europe to Constantinople and find out what happened to his father all those years ago.
Growing up amongst the cogs and springs of his father's workshop, Zachary is intensely curious, ferociously intelligent, unwittingly funny and always honest - perhaps too honest. But when a fateful accident leaves six-year-old Zachary nearly blinded, Abel is convinced that the safest place for his son is in the care of his eccentric Aunt Frances and her menagerie of weird and wonderful animals.
So when a precarious job in Constantinople is offered to him, Abel has no reason to say no. A job presented to him by a politician with dubious intentions, Abel leaves his son, his workshop and London behind. The decision will change the course of his life forever.
Since his accident, Zachary is plagued by visions that reveal the hearts and minds of those around him. A gift at times and a curse at others, it is nonetheless these visions that will help him complete a journey that he was always destined to make - to travel across Europe to Constantinople and find out what happened to his father all those years ago.
GENRE
Historical; Fantasy; Drama
UK PUBLICATION
June 2022
Historical; Fantasy; Drama
UK PUBLICATION
June 2022
Praise
The Times' Historical Fiction Book of the Month
Long listed for the Walter Scott Historical Fiction Prize 2023
"A riotous cast of characters includes a batty aunt from Tring and a Nubian dervish who has whirled his last. An exhilarating magic carpet to 18th-century Constantinople."
Saga
"Using lively prose and filled with intriguing characters, this is an enjoyable and imaginative debut."
The Times
"The best summer reads are those books you can completely lose yourself in and Sean Lusk's debut absolutely fits the bill. Immersing readers in an intriguing world of clock and automata inventions, Lusk's historical adventure evokes the spirit of Dickensian classics with a fantastic twist."
CultureFly
"Lusk’s dashing, magical debut winds its way through the grimy streets of mid-18th-century London … Intricately plotted."
Daily Mail
"A superb historical novel, with a story that is both strange and wonderful. Sean Lusk has a bright future ahead of him."
William Ryan
"Atmospheric, engaging, and elegantly written, this amazing tale of a clockmaker whose son possesses unusual talents is completely unforgettable. One of the best books I've read this year."
Bonnie Garmus
"This delicious feast of a novel is flavoured with characters of Dickensian brilliance, a good dollop of the grime and clamour of eighteenth century London, and a generous infusion of spices of the exotic east. One taste, you’ll be addicted."
Essie Fox
"If you like your historical fiction to have a touch of magic then Sean Lusk's The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is a must read. Populated by a cast of colourful characters who are guaranteed to charm, this hugely entertaining book is full of imagination, adventure, wit and warmth."
Anita Frank
Long listed for the Walter Scott Historical Fiction Prize 2023
"A riotous cast of characters includes a batty aunt from Tring and a Nubian dervish who has whirled his last. An exhilarating magic carpet to 18th-century Constantinople."
Saga
"Using lively prose and filled with intriguing characters, this is an enjoyable and imaginative debut."
The Times
"The best summer reads are those books you can completely lose yourself in and Sean Lusk's debut absolutely fits the bill. Immersing readers in an intriguing world of clock and automata inventions, Lusk's historical adventure evokes the spirit of Dickensian classics with a fantastic twist."
CultureFly
"Lusk’s dashing, magical debut winds its way through the grimy streets of mid-18th-century London … Intricately plotted."
Daily Mail
"A superb historical novel, with a story that is both strange and wonderful. Sean Lusk has a bright future ahead of him."
William Ryan
"Atmospheric, engaging, and elegantly written, this amazing tale of a clockmaker whose son possesses unusual talents is completely unforgettable. One of the best books I've read this year."
Bonnie Garmus
"This delicious feast of a novel is flavoured with characters of Dickensian brilliance, a good dollop of the grime and clamour of eighteenth century London, and a generous infusion of spices of the exotic east. One taste, you’ll be addicted."
Essie Fox
"If you like your historical fiction to have a touch of magic then Sean Lusk's The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is a must read. Populated by a cast of colourful characters who are guaranteed to charm, this hugely entertaining book is full of imagination, adventure, wit and warmth."
Anita Frank
Rights Sales for THE SECOND SIGHT OF ZACHARY CLOUDESLEY
Greece: Psichogios Publications
UK & Commonwealth: Transworld, PRH
USA: Union Square
UK & Commonwealth: Transworld, PRH
USA: Union Square