“But sometimes the world disrobes, slips its dress off a shoulder, stops time for a beat. If we look up at that moment, it's not due to any ability of ours to pierce the darkness, it's the world's brief bestowal. The catastrophe of grace.”
Fugitive Pieces is a novel that follows the life of Jakob Beer, a Polish Jewish child who survives the Holocaust by hiding in the ruins of his home. Rescued by a Greek geologist, he is taken to the island of Zakynthos, where he begins to piece together his shattered past. The narrative later shifts to Athos, a young Canadian historian who becomes obsessed with Jakob's story. The book delves into themes of trauma, the act of bearing witness, and the ways in which history and personal memory intertwine. Through lyrical prose, the novel examines how the past can be both a burden and a source of strength, and how storytelling can offer a path toward healing. more
Anne Michaels, born on April 15, 1958, is a renowned Canadian poet. Her works are known for their profound emotions and unique narrative style, which have won her a wide audience. more
“Remember that even in war there is a time for restraint. A time to hold back your sword.”
“I closed the box and put it in a closet. There is no real way to deal with everything we lose.”