Unexpectedly absorbing
A novel that is almost entirely made up of brief facts about historical figures might not sound like a great read. But sprinkled among the thousands of precisely-phrased statements about the lives and, often, deaths of composers, poets, writers and philosophers there is a story taking shape. The author (known as Reader) is trying to construct a story, a desperate tale that emerges slowly from between the remembered fragments of history. Very different, but very recommended.
Rating: 9/10