The Afterlife of Stars
- 247 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The Afterlife of Stars moved me more than any other novel I've read in recent memory. --Tim O'Brien
Joseph Kertes Books
This author delves into profound human themes with a distinctive narrative style that immerses readers in the intricate emotions and thought processes of their characters. Their works often explore the impact of historical events on personal lives and the complexities of the human experience. Through their writing, they offer insights into the resilience of the human spirit and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. Their prose is lauded for its intelligence, sensitivity, and ability to resonate deeply with readers.
Last Impressions
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Shortlisted for the 2021 Leacock Medal for Humour Longlisted for the 2020 Toronto Book Awards How can you say goodbye forever when you've left an important secret unspoken? "I'll tell you what I'm going to do," Zoltan said. "When I die, I'll leave my luck to you." Zoltan Beck is dying. His devoted but long-suffering sons, Ben and Frank, are trying to prepare themselves and their families for Zoltan's eventual departure...but they can't quite bring themselves to believe that the end is really at hand, and neither can Zoltan himself. The head of a family marked by war and tragedy for decades, he "can't stand to be in a room with a miserable person" and has done his best to keep the pain of his refugee past from his beloved children. But as he faces the end of his life, he discovers a heartbreaking secret from the War that will ultimately bring the family together--or irrevocably disrupt it. Set in both mid-20th century Hungary and contemporary Toronto, this is a deeply moving novel that revels in the energy of its extraordinary characters. It is the story of lost love and newfound connections, of a father and his sons desperately reaching out to bridge an ever-widening gap...even as their time together ebbs away.