The Industry of Souls: A Novel

Martin Booth

Macmillan, Oct 6, 2000 - Fiction - 256 pages

The remarkably powerful and critically acclaimed novel that was chosen as A New York Times Notable Book of 1999 and shortlisted for The Booker Prize

The Industry of Souls is the story of Alexander Bayliss, a British citizen arrested for spying in the Soviet Union in the early 1950's. Eventually freed from the gulag in the 1970's, he finds he has no reason to return to the West-he has become Russian in everything but birth.
Now, on the day of his 80th birthday, Russia has changed. Communism has evaporated. In the aftermath, information has come to light that Alex is still alive. This moving story weaves together the events of Alex's life, exploring this momentous day, his harrowing past in the camp and his life in the village. And it ends with his having to make a personal choice, perhaps for the first time in his life, and the climax is shattering.

Contents

• I: 7
• II: 23
• III: 49
• IV: 73
• V: 113
• VI: 139
• VII: 165
• VIII: 187
• IX: 203
• X: 219
• XI: 245

About the author

Martin Booth (September 7, 1944-February 12, 2004) was a prolific British novelist and poet. He also worked as a teacher and screenwriter, and was the founder of the Sceptre Press. Booth died after an 18-month struggle with cancer in 2004.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Industry of Souls: A Novel
• Author: Martin Booth
• Edition: reprint, revised
• Publisher: Macmillan, 2000
• ISBN: 0312267533, 9780312267537
• Length: 256 pages
• Subjects: Fiction / General