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The Narrows | 
| Author: Alexander C. Irvine
Publisher: Del Rey
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $13.94 (100%)
New (19) Used (26) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 525959
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0345466985
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780345466983
ASIN: 0345466985
Publication Date: September 27, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: ex library
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Book Description
From award-winning author Alexander C. Irvine comes a compelling, fantastical riff on history and World War II. The Narrows takes place in Detroit, where Henry Ford’s factories have been retooled for America’s grand war effort. But there are also more clandestine operations under way–including a top-secret effort to produce golems–powerful beings fashioned from the earth–to destroy Nazis. Here lurk strange spies in unlikely places–and a not-so-extraordinary man who is inadvertently poised at the bizarre, urgent center of it all. . . .
Spared fighting in Europe because of a bum hand, Jared wishes he could join the cause, instead of mindlessly sifting clay to be made into golems. But there is something that preys on his dreams: the devilish dwarf known as the Nain Rouge. In his youth, Jared once actually saw the Dwarf–a chilling creature that shows itself to individuals just before their demise. Now the Nain Rouge appears to be coming back for Jared himself.
Many have a profound interest in Jared’s childhood run-in with the Dwarf–including a German spy, Jared’s hateful foreman at the golem factory, and a shape-shifting Indian shaman. But what could a simple man who earns a meager living possibly have to do with espionage and dark deeds? While Jared toils invisibly in the bowels of Ford’s plant, the answer is about to reveal itself in a cataclysm of mythic and sinister proportions.
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| Customer Reviews:
A real page-turner with a fresh hook March 29, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm not much of a war story reader, and I haven't read many spy thrillers, but this book is sort of a mix of both of these things with a heavy dose of cynical fantasy thrown in, and I really loved it.
I think you can truly judge the merit of a book by the opinions of the crossover readers who might not usually pick up such a book. I couldn't stop turning the pages, as there was an intriguing revelation every few pages or so. The dialogue was very natural and the description was minimalist but well done. The character development also was pretty good, but the book really shines on its action.
I found the golems to be very interesting characters and was fascinated by their actions throughout the story.
If Irvine was able to get me reading about one aspect of life in America during World War II, he's a brilliant writer indeed, because I usually avoid that sort of thing. I'll definitely be looking for more of Irvine's writings.
 What is the purpose of this story March 27, 2006
6 out of 12 found this review helpful
Usually when you read a book, you can guess what the author is trying to tell you. Either it's an emotional story about some problem, or a detective/PI trying to solve a murder/crime, maybe it's even a sf writer trying to tell a future or alternate history story.
But, I can't for the life of me figure out what Irvine is trying to say in this novel. It's almost as if it was a class assignment that had to be a certain length and related to WWII.
Most of the characters are one dimensional, and you never (at least I didn't) have any reason to care what happened to Jared Cleaves or his family or Detroit for that matter. Except for the excursion into magic dwarfs, golems and a dragon, the fantasy aspect is pretty thin.
Very disappointing after all the hype.
 Amazing December 1, 2005
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
It takes me weeks often several months to find a book that is just right, one that has the right combination of skilled writing and atmosphere. Irvines' "The Narrows" is such a book. The poetic asides, characterization and the elements of the supernatural which are blended so skillfully are just pitch perfect. I read the blurb, and decided against purchasing it from Amazon, but then I had an opportunity to actually begin reading it in my local bookstore and decided that I had to purchase it. The plot is an odd one, Golems, Nazis and Henry Ford but this book is wonderful and a great addition to my collection of "magic realism".
Satisfying and exciting! November 9, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
It's World War II and Hitler's army is marching across Europe. The United States is at war, and they're using everything in their arsenal, including magic. Jared Cleaves wants to do his part, but a childhood accident keeps him from the front lines.
Instead he is put to work at Henry Ford's (yes THAT Henry Ford) plant in Detroit. He is one of a select few who spend their days shifting through clay, clay that will be used to make golems who will be sent over to fight on the front lines. What Jared doesn't know is that he's being watched by secret powers, and soon, he is reluctantly drawn into spying for different parties that are all vying for an edge that will bring the war to a close.
Alexander C. Irvine spins a masterful tale that is one part history lesson and another part fantasy. His is a parallel world where golems are raised from clay, Indian shamans can transform into ravens, and a mysterious dwarf, whose appearance portends destruction for the city of Detroit and maybe the world, makes an appearance.
Armchair Interviews says: The Narrows takes a bit of getting use to. It's not a fast read since the main action is broken up with poetic interludes. At times these breaks in the action can be distracting when they lean towards the surreal, but in Irvine's hands it all comes together in a satisfying and exciting ending.
fabulous alternate historical fantasy September 28, 2005
3 out of 9 found this review helpful
During WWII in Detroit, Jared Cleaves is unable to serve in the military due to a hand injury he suffered as a child that leaves him 4-F. Jared is embarrassed to stay behind among mostly women and children as he feels healthy enough to fight in spite of his hand and wants to help his home country in the war.
The Office of Esoteric Investigation selects Jared to work on the Top Secret Ford golem project aptly dubbed "Frankenline". However, he still remains depressed that he cannot enter the war zone as he desperately wants to share the dangerous load most males and the golems must bear. Pushing to become deeper involved, Jared soon realizes he may have leaned too hard on a weird door when he becomes a key player in a scheme to tap into the supernatural power of imps that "live" underneath the Motor City. However, he soon concludes that these supernatural creatures are impossible to control and will run rampant throughout Detroit unless Jared can stop them.
THE NARROWS is a fabulous alternate historical fantasy that provides a wild ride through 1943 Detroit as the Nazis look like kindergarten students when compared to the imp storm troopers. The story line is action-packed from start to finish, but driving the plot is the wonderful Jared who just feels he must do more than he is doing. When he gets his wish and meets up with the underground and some weird Feds, he learns plenty of lessons about receiving what you ask for. The supernatural creatures seem natural adding to a fine thriller, but the besieged Jared keeps the fabulous tale together.
Harriet Klausner
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