About the book
A Seattle Times Best Book of 2012
When Catherine Gehrig, a museum conservator in London, falls into grief after her lover’s sudden death, her boss gives her a special project. She will bring back to “life” a nineteenth-century mechanical bird. As she begins to piece the automaton together, Catherine also uncovers the diaries of Henry Brandling, who, more than a hundred years prior, had commissioned the bird for his very ill son. Catherine finds resonance and comfort in Henry’s story. But it is the mechanical creature itself, in its uncanny imitation of life, that will link these two people across a century. Through the clockwork bird, Henry and Catherine will confront the mysteries of creation, the power of human invention, and the body’s astonishing chemistry of love and feeling.
Editions of The Chemistry of Tears
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780307361479
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780307592712
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780307361486
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780307476081
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307361493
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307958396
Read an Excerpt
A Seattle Times Best Book of 2012
When Catherine Gehrig, a museum conservator in London, falls into grief after her lover’s sudden death, her boss gives her a special project. She will bring back to “life” a nineteenth-century mechanical bird. As she begins to piece the automaton together, Catherine also uncovers the diaries of Henry Brandling, who, more than a hundred years prior, had commissioned the bird for his very ill son. Catherine finds resonance and comfort in Henry’s story. But it is the mechanical creature itself, in its uncanny imitation of life, that will link these two people across a century. Through the clockwork bird, Henry and Catherine will confront the mysteries of creation, the power of human invention, and the body’s astonishing chemistry of love and feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Chemistry of Tears about?
A Seattle Times Best Book of 2012
When Catherine Gehrig, a museum conservator in London, falls into grief after her lover’s sudden death, her boss gives her a special project. She will bring back to “life” a nineteenth-century mechanical bird. As she begins to piece the automaton together, Catherine also uncovers the diaries of Henry Brandling, who, more than a hundred years prior, had commissioned the bird for his very ill son. Catherine finds resonance and comfort in Henry’s story. But it is the mechanical creature itself, in its uncanny imitation of life, that will link these two people across a century. Through the clockwork bird, Henry and Catherine will confront the mysteries of creation, the power of human invention, and the body’s astonishing chemistry of love and feeling.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Chemistry of Tears?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of The Chemistry of Tears?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780307361479
Is The Chemistry of Tears part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Vintage International
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Chemistry of Tears?
Peter Carey
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Chemistry of Tears is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780307361479) and hardcover(ISBN 9780307592712) and paperback(ISBN 9780307361486) and paperback(ISBN 9780307476081) and ebook(ISBN 9780307361493) and ebook(ISBN 9780307958396)
Where can I buy The Chemistry of Tears online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Chemistry of Tears from below
Where can I buy The Chemistry of Tears?