Thirteen Ways of Looking

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On a cold January day, J. Mendelssohn awakens in his Upper East Side apartment, frail and dependent on his carer. As he waits for the heating to kick in, the clacking pipes evoke memories of his childhood in Lithuania and Dublin, his esteemed career as a judge, and his late wife, Eileen. He later meets his son Elliot for lunch, but when Elliot leaves mid-meal, Mendelssohn finds himself dining alone as heavy snow falls outside. Shortly after leaving the restaurant, he suffers a brutal attack. Detectives investigate the incident, sifting through surveillance footage of Mendelssohn's movements, akin to a poet searching for the perfect word that will illuminate the entire narrative. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, employing lyrical and hypnotic prose. This groundbreaking novella resonates deeply, complemented by three powerful stories set in Afghanistan, Galway, and London. It serves as a tribute to humanity's quest for meaning and grace, showcasing a writer at the peak of his craft, who can envision vastness even within the smallest details of life.