Compass

Beskrivelse

Compass follows Franz Ritter, an insomniac musicologist bedridden with an unknown illness, as he drifts through a night filled with dreams and memories. His thoughts wander through his deep fascination with the Middle East and his travels to cities like Istanbul, Aleppo, Damascus, and Tehran.

A rich, nocturnal exploration of memory, love, and cultural connection between East and West.

As night descends over Vienna, Franz Ritter finds himself restless in bed, caught between wakefulness and sleep. Throughout the night, he revisits key moments in his life, especially his enduring interest in the Middle East. His memories are populated by encounters with writers, artists, musicians, academics, Orientalists, and explorers who have shaped his understanding of this vast and complex region.

At the heart of his reflections lies his elusive, unrequited love for Sarah, a brilliant French scholar navigating the delicate balance between Europe and the Middle East. Compass is a musical, immersive novel that blends erudition with bittersweet humor, offering a profound journey and an expression of admiration.

This novel acts as a bridge connecting West and East, past and future, and explores the otherness that exists within us all. Winner of the 2015 Prix Goncourt and shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize 2017, Compass stands as Mathias Énard's most ambitious work since ZONE.

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