This Irish novelist delves into the profound psychological motivations of her characters and their complex relationships with their surroundings. Her work is characterized by keen insights into human nature, often exploring themes of memory, identity, and the impact of history on the present. The author seamlessly blends external reality with the characters' inner lives, crafting a rich and compelling reading experience. Her prose style is both precise and evocative, establishing her as a distinctive voice in contemporary literature.
Set against the backdrop of World War I Europe and New York, the narrative weaves together the lives of three individuals in 1916 Paris. The story explores themes of love, art, and boxing, highlighting the characters' struggles and connections amidst the turmoil of the era. Their intertwined fates reflect the complexities of human relationships in a time of conflict and creativity.
Nel 1946 Johnson, primo atleta di colore a diventare campione mondiale di pugilato, scrive una lettera a Mina per raccontarle del marito Crovan, che aveva conosciuto in uno dei suoi primi incontri ed era poi scomparso in circostanze misteriose. E' l'inizio di una fitta corrispondenza, la nascita di un legame profondissimo fra Johnson e Mina, l'esplodere di un amore mai consumato che nasconde un bruciante segreto: Johnson sa di Cravan e della sua fine più di quanto abbia raccontato a Mina.