A dark chapter in recent human history The first part of this novel follows the adventures of three young friends during a memorable last mountain climbing trip to a remote area of a country under the control of a ruthless authoritarian regime. During their journey
the young men have to cope with:
bear encounters
venomous adders
colorful locals
storms
dangerous climbs
flooded caves
and other challenges
as the main purpose of their trip is gradually revealed. A second story
intertwined with the first one
focuses on a brilliant young pianist and his ill-fated quest for freedom. Urban life
in the dreary capital where the young men regularly reside
is the focus of the second part of the novel
when the friends begin to go their own separate ways and come to terms with their very different future prospects. The challenges of life in the capital
which include run-ins with feral dog packs and the secret police
are very different than those faced in the mountains
but not less dangerous. Ultimately
this is a book about friendship
the noble
irreverent and indomitable aspects of the human condition
as well as a dark chapter in recent human history
and the various ways in which different people cope with difficult and unfair conditions.
It is an often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking exploration of the absurdities of life under an increasingly erratic dictatorship which is gradually losing its grip on the people it could never fully control.
Paylaş