The Physics of Sorrow

The Physics of Sorrow is a novel by Alberto Manguel that explores life in Communist Europe through the experiences of an unnamed narrator who suffers from pathological empathy. It is a dazzlingly inventive and mind-expanding book that combines family history, coming-of-age story, and meditation on life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

In the realm of the small and the seemingly insignificant, where life often goes unnoticed, it finds its sanctuary, constructing its intricate nests. Our unnamed narrator, however, is not in good health. Cursed with attacks of pathological empathy, he unwittingly trespasses into the memories of others, wandering through their recollections without invitation. His journey takes him from the vibrant Bulgarian country fair of 1925, where he encounters a mythical Minotaur, to the depths of a slug's mind as it is consumed by his own grandfather. This novel, a captivating blend of family history, coming-of-age narrative, and profound contemplation on life in Communist Europe, emerges as a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most influential writers of Europe. Translated from the Bulgarian by Angela Rodel, The Physics of Sorrow invites readers on a mind-expanding journey that challenges perceptions and expands the boundaries of imagination.

Weight: 262g
Dimension: 128 x 196 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399623131