Magnus, the narrator of this new novel, the fifth by the Icelandic author of
Restoration, is a distinguished New York neurosurgeon. His area of research involves ways to communicate with comatose patients. Raised in England by his cold and difficult mother, Margaret, and his clueless father, Magnus still has trouble relating to people. He had finally found love with Malena, a beautiful Argentine dancer, but she is now lost to him. Now there is more parental drama. After a lifetime of failing to find success as a classical pianist, Margaret is on the verge of being rediscovered and receiving the acclaim she feels she deserves. And Magnus hopes that he is on the edge of a breakthrough with a new patient, an unidentified young woman who was left for dead after a terrible accident in New Mexico.
VERDICT With cool Nordic reserve, Olafsson explores such timeless themes as love, its loss and its lack; the failure to communicate; and finding strength in adversity. Will either Magnus or his self-absorbed mother attain the success they seek? There is enough drama and suspense in this thoughtful and intelligent novel to keep the reader intrigued to the end.
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