The title novella follows Peter Mendelssohn, a retired judge in New York who is eighty-two years old and lives in a luxury apartment, on the morning he goes out for lunch with his son. By the end of the day, he has been killed in a street attack, and the story is told through his thoughts, the investigation and surveillance footage. Colum McCann builds the title piece in thirteen short sections, with close attention to language and perception. The book also includes three shorter stories.
Readers who like experimental, language-driven fiction and who admire McCann's other work will find a collection with an unusual form. It suits those who want a quiet but sharp study of how a life can be understood in a day.
Inward-looking and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2015
- Language
- EN
