One day a fakir leaves his small village in India and lands in Paris. A professional con artist, the fakir is on a pilgrimage to IKEA, where he intends to obtain an object he covets above all others: a brand new bed of nails. Without adequate Euros in the pockets of his silk trousers, the fakir is all the same confident that his counterfeit 100-Euro note (printed on one side only) and his usual bag of tricks will suffice. But when a swindled cab driver seeks his murderous revenge, the fakir accidentally embarks on a European tour, fatefully beginning in the wardrobe of the iconic Swedish retailer. As his journey progresses in the most unpredictable of ways, the fakir finds unlikely friends in even unlikelier places. To his surprise - and to a Bollywood beat - the stirrings of love well up in the heart of our unlikely hero, even as his adventures lead to profound and moving questions of the perils of emigration and the universal desire to seek a better life in an often dangerous world.
Romain Puértolas Book order
December 21, 1975
Romain Puértolas crafts narratives that often explore the extraordinary journeys and cultural encounters of his characters. His writing style is marked by a distinctive blend of lightness and humor, while subtly delving into profound themes of identity and belonging. Puértolas skillfully weaves adventure with keen observations on human nature, offering readers a truly memorable experience. His stories are celebrated for their surprising twists and original voice, captivating a wide audience.







- 2014