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Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

The Passion

by Jeanette Winterson
Aggregate Editorial Score42/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 1987176 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Jeanette Winterson's The Passion (1987) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Henri, a cook in Napoleon's army, falls in love with Villanelle, a Venetian girl with webbed feet who can walk on water. Winterson's second novel interweaves Napoleonic history, Venetian fantasy, and a meditation on the nature of passion. Themes of passion, Napoleon, Venice run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 1987.

Book Details

AuthorJeanette Winterson
Published1987
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages176
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780802135162
Editorial Score42/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United Kingdom →

Editorial Assessment

The Passion by Jeanette Winterson sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1987 in United Kingdom, it engages with passion, Napoleon, Venice, identity in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: ALA Notable Books 1987. Its aggregate editorial score of 42/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Passion is how it handles its central concerns — passion, Napoleon, Venice, identity — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Passion reflects Jeanette Winterson's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United Kingdom's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

ALA Notable Books
notable · national
198710
✍️
About the Author
Jeanette Winterson
United Kingdom
View Author →

Jeanette Winterson is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Passion about?

Henri, a cook in Napoleon's army, falls in love with Villanelle, a Venetian girl with webbed feet who can walk on water. Winterson's second novel interweaves Napoleonic history, Venetian fantasy, and a meditation on the nature of passion.

Who wrote The Passion?

The Passion was written by Jeanette Winterson, from United Kingdom. First published in 1987.

What awards has The Passion won?

The Passion has received the following awards and honours: ALA Notable Books 1987.

Is The Passion worth reading?

The Passion is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 10/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in passion, Napoleon, Venice.

Where can I buy The Passion?

You can buy The Passion on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Passion?

The Passion is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Passion from?

The Passion originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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