The Book of Illusions

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A grief-stricken man's obsession with a silent film star leads him on an intense journey through a shadowy world of lies, illusions, and unexpected love. Six months after losing his wife and two young sons in a plane crash, Vermont professor David Zimmer drowns in alcoholic grief and self-pity. One night, he discovers a lost film by Hector Mann, a comic genius of silent cinema known for his distinctive black moustache. In January 1929, at the height of his fame, Mann vanished without a trace. Zimmer's fascination compels him to write an appreciative book about Mann. Suddenly, he receives a letter from New Mexico, allegedly from Mann's wife, raising the possibility that Mann might still be alive. Torn between doubt and belief, Zimmer's life takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious woman appears at his doorstep, forcing him to confront his reality. This novel immerses readers in a world where the comic and tragic, real and imagined, violent and tender intertwine. It is a rich, emotionally charged narrative that captures the essence of loss and the search for meaning, showcasing the narrator's hard-won wisdom.