The Facts Behind the Helsinki RoccamatiosHere are four unforgettable stories by the author of Life of Pi. Written earlier in Martel's career, these tales display that startling mix of dazzle and depth that have made Yann Martel an international phenomenon. Inventive in form and timeless in content, each story is moving and thought-provoking. A Canadian university student visiting Washington, D.C., experiences the Vietnam War through an intense musical encounter. Variations of a warden's letter to the mother of a man he has just executed reveal how each life is contained in its end. A young man's fascination with the mirror-making machine he finds in his grandmother's attic is juxtaposed with the reminiscences it evokes from his grandmother. And, in the exquisite title story, a young man dying of AIDS joins his friend in fashioning a story of the Roccamatio family of Helsinki, set against the yearly march of the twentieth century. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
asked Barlow beautiful becomes beginning better blah blah blah-blah-blah-blah breath brought called carry cell chair checks clean clear close comes compose Concerto death desk didn't died Doctor don't door Dying entered execution eyes face fact Father Father Preston feel fingers finished floor front George H Germany give guards hand He's head heard Helsinki holding hospital It's John keep Kevin known leave light live looked Lowe machine mean mind minute mirror Morton move never night nodded notes offered opened ordered Paul Paul's play pointed replied Roccamatios seemed seen side sitting sleep smile sound stand started stayed stopped story talk tell Thank There's thing thought told took touch turned violin walked wall Warden window wished writing