History Keeps Me Awake at Night

Margit is married, has a degree, and has friends, but she is still adrift and moving from one precarious job to the next. One day, she sees a picture of Mexican students who disappeared without a trace in 2014 and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. This novel captures the texture of life in a frictionless city with drop-pin accuracy, asking if it is possible to recover what is lost without losing oneself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Granta Books

Margit is at a pivotal stage in her life, where everything should be coming together. She is married, holds a degree, has a supportive circle of friends, and yet feels like she is constantly floundering. She moves from one precarious job to another, never quite finding her footing.

One day, while perusing a newspaper, Margit's attention is caught by a photograph of a group of Mexican students who went missing in 2014. The group of 43 had been ambushed by police while traveling on a bus and vanished without a trace. This incident ignites a deep obsession within Margit, leading her to delve into the mysterious world of the desaparecidos.

As she delves deeper into her research, Margit's quest to uncover the truth takes on a life of its own. She spends countless hours poring over Google Maps, tracing the routes of the missing students and trying to piece together the fragments of information available. Her determination to find answers becomes all-consuming, overshadowing everything else in her life.

From a fresh and distinctive literary voice, this novel offers a vivid portrayal of life in a bustling metropolis. With meticulous detail, it captures the texture of the city, its inhabitants, and the constant friction that exists between them. At the same time, it poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of loss and the possibility of recovering what is lost without losing oneself.

Margit's journey is a captivating one, filled with moments of frustration, despair, and occasional glimpses of hope. As she digs deeper into the mystery, she uncovers layers of corruption, cover-ups, and human tragedy. Her determination to bring the missing students to justice becomes stronger, but at what cost?

Ultimately, "The Disappeared" is a novel that explores the complexities of human existence, the power of obsession, and the search for truth in a world that often seems opaque and unknowable. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope.

Weight: 184g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783788446