What's Inside
This collection gathers thirteen narratives that leap between the hills of Ireland, the Andean mountains, and the ancient landscapes of Egypt. The pieces focus on specific moments of transition: a bridge spanning a chasm, a queen setting out to visit a king, or the strained silence between lovers on a damp Belfast evening. The characters range from local fox hunters to Manchu dukes educated at Eton, all depicted through prose that dwells on the sensory details of their immediate environment. Rather than following a singular narrative thread, the volume functions as a series of portraits where atmospheric tension often outweighs the action itself.
Works & figures
- Lovat
An engineer mesmerized by the stone bridge he constructed. (in “The Keeper of the Bridge”)
- Balkis
The queen who questions her journey toward the Jewish king. (in “Wisdom Buildeth Her House”)
- Li Sin
A Manchu duke and physician frequently misjudged by others. (in “A Quatrain Of Ling Tai Fu's”)
- Delilah
A resident of Gaza observing the city's diverse inhabitants. (in “Delilah, Now It Was Dusk”)
What it's really about
- Isolation
- Characters feel removed from their own social circles.
- Geography
- Landscape shapes the emotional states of those inhabiting it.
Why it's memorable
- A massive stone bridge spanning an Andean chasm like a rainbow.
- A queen's royal train stretching two miles across the sand.
Where to start
Begin with the title story, as it establishes the volume's sharp eye for the quiet discord simmering beneath everyday appearances.
For your book club
- How do the settings function as characters themselves?
- Does the prose favor atmosphere over explicit resolution?