An extraordinary novel from one of Italy's most acclaimed contemporary writers. It's a literary page turner, skilfully written with immense storytelling power that draws you into the story which itself is both sad and uplifting. It's the sort of book that will live in your memory long after you've turned the final page.
This edition has an introduction by Mohsin Hamid, author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, explaining why this is his favourite book.
Here's a taster from Mohsin:
'A masterpiece of compression. A political history of 1930s Portugal, a
love story between a man and his dead wife, a gloriously successful
formal experiment, and an irresistible thriller - and it can be read
with enormous pleasure in a single afternoon.' - Mohsin Hamid
'Subtle, skillful, and clear. It's so clear, in fact, that you can see a very long way down, into the heart of a flawed but valiant human being, into the sickness of a nation, into the depths of political evil. It's the most impressive novel I've read for years, and one of the very few that feels truly necessary' - Philip Pullman
In the sweltering summer of 1938, with Lisbon in the grip of Portugal's dictatorship of António Salazar, a journalist is coming to terms with the rise of fascism around him and its insidious impact on his work. Consumed by the passing of his wife and the child he never had, Pereira lives a quiet and lonely existence. One day, the young and charismatic Monteiro Rossi enters his life, changing everything. A man who once shied away from criticizing Portugal's authoritarian regime finds himself unable to stay quiet any longer, resulting in his political awakening and a devastating act of rebellion.
Tabucchi's celebrated masterpiece is an ode to courage and solidarity in the face of political oppression.
'A stunningly good novel, and it goes on getting better in one's head after one has stopped reading it - it works as an experience - something that has happened to one, which is of course the proof of great writing' Diana Athill
