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The Passion

Published
Mar 1990
Main Genre
General Fiction General Fiction
Rating
Pages
160

About This Book

The New York Times–bestselling author interweaves the destinies of Napoleon's cook and an enigmatic Venetian woman in this "arresting, elegant novel" (Publishers Weekly).

A faithful soldier of the Grande Armée, Henri is given the honor of serving meals to Napoleon himself. After all, Henri is short—and no one over five-foot-two ever serves the emperor. But when following his revered leader brings him to near-starvation in Russia's frozen winter, Henri is disillusioned and desperate for escape.


The web-footed daughter of a Venetian boatman, Villanelle has long been acquainted with the advantages of dishonesty. Trust hasn't been her strong suit since her heart was stolen—literally—by a noblewoman she once loved.


Soon these two will meet their shared destiny in the chaotic carnival that is early 19th century Venice. In The Passion, Whitbread Award-winning author Jeanette Winterson delivers a "historical novel quite different from any other" (Vanity Fair).


"Recalls García Márquez . . . Magical touches dance like highlights over the brilliance of this fairy tale about passion, gambling, madness, and androgynous ecstasy." —Edmund White

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Formats & Editions

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Paperback

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Jun 1988 Penguin (UK) ISBN 0140108319
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Mar 1990 Vintage ISBN 0679724370
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Trade Paperback
Oct 1996 Vintage (UK) ISBN 0099734419
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Trade Paperback
Aug 1997 Grove Press ISBN 0802135226
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Oct 2000 Vinatge (Canada) ISBN 0676973493
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Paperback
Sep 2014 Vintage Publishing ISBN 0099598329
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Hardcover

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May 1988 Grove Press ISBN 0871131838
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eBook

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Aug 1997 Grove Press ISBN B0038KYF1E
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Dec 2007 Grove Press ISBN B07CN7X4J4
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eBook
Dec 2007 Grove Press ISBN 0802198716
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Nov 2011 Vintage ISBN 1448113369
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Audio

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Sep 2015 Audible Studios ISBN B013VJYNYU
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Mar 2019 -- Not Selected ISBN B07PHSHT8V
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MP3 CD
May 2019 Brilliance Audio ISBN 1978689055
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Jan 2020 Brilliance Audio ISBN 1799717402
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