Apeirogon

A Novel

By: Colum McCann

Narrated by: Colum McCann

New York Times Best Seller

“A quite extraordinary novel. Colum McCann has found the form and voice to tell the most complex of stories, with an unexpected friendship between two men at its powerfully beating heart.” (Kamila Shamsie, author of Home Fire)

Finalist for the Dublin Literary Award

Longlisted for the Booker Prize

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The Independent • The New York Public Library • Library Journal

From the National Book Award-winning and best-selling author of Let the Great World Spin comes an epic novel rooted in the unlikely real-life friendship between two fathers.

Bassam Aramin is Palestinian. Rami Elhanan is Israeli. They inhabit a world of conflict that colors every aspect of their daily lives, from the roads they are allowed to drive on, to the schools their children attend, to the checkpoints, both physical and emotional, they must negotiate.

But their lives, however circumscribed, are upended one after the other: First, Rami’s 13-year-old daughter, Smadar, becomes the victim of suicide bombers; a decade later, Bassam’s 10-year-old daughter, Abir, is killed by a rubber bullet. Rami and Bassam had been raised to hate one another. And yet, when they learn of each other’s stories, they recognize the loss that connects them. Together they attempt to use their grief as a weapon for peace - and with their one small act start to permeate what has for generations seemed an impermeable conflict.

This extraordinary novel is the fruit of a seed planted when the novelist Colum McCann met the real Bassam and Rami on a trip with the nonprofit organization Narrative 4. McCann was moved by their willingness to share their stories with the world, by their hope that if they could see themselves in one another, perhaps others could, too. With their blessing, and unprecedented access to their families, lives, and personal recollections, McCann began to craft Apeirogon, which uses their real-life stories to begin another - one that crosses centuries and continents, stitching together time, art, history, nature, and politics in a tale both heartbreaking and hopeful. The result is an ambitious novel, crafted out of a universe of fictional and nonfictional material, with these fathers’ moving story at its heart.

©2020 Colum McCann (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Every significant novel is an act of reckless originality. Colum McCann’s Apeirogon is nothing like any book you've ever read. Think of reading David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas, Anne Carson’s Autobiography of Red, or George Saunders’s Lincoln in the Bardo for the first time. Think of discovering an entirely unprecedented, and profoundly true, narrative form. Think about feeling that the very idea of the novel, of what it can be and what it’s capable of containing, has been expanded, forever." (Michael Cunningham, New York Times best-selling author of The Snow Queen)

"Apeirogon is a brilliant dramatization of the tensions behind a universal problem, the contentious ownership of land and the location and nature of its borders. This novel arrives at a crucial time for us in the history of the world." (Barry Lopez, National Book Award-winning author of Outside)

"Colum McCann loves a high-wire act, and Apeirogon is a powerful, political tightrope walk of a novel. It’s the story of modern Israel and the story of modern Palestine. This beautiful, deeply felt book is first and foremost an extraordinary act of listening." (Nathan Englander, PEN/Malamud Award-winning author of Dinner at the Center of the Earth)

An amazing, truly important book

Few books in the last few years have touched me the way this one has. I also can’t think of any other book more current, given the recent events in Palestine and Israel. It is sweeping but at the same time so achingly human.

Beautiful reading by a beautiful writer

Lyrical, moving, subtle, nuanced writing and a reading by the author that richly conveys all those aspects.

soul touching moments

it has touched my heart and soul. Loss of a child is one of those heart breaks which never goes away. I know I had lost my precious daughter, 40 years later she is still with me.
writing skills are amazing and narrators is one of the best. I wish it didn't finish. I am going to listen it again.

Worth Re-Reading, by Msny

Thought provoking, emotional story beautifully interwoven between opposing points of view. Beautifully written, making it easy to identify each location and situation. Excellent read!

A beautifully, haunting read

This is one of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time. I was captivated. I’ve recommended it to all of my reading friends.

Powerful

Perhaps the best novel this century. A deeply moving story about grief, healing and purpose.

McCann's voice adds an amazing dimension

I chose to listen to Colum McCann’s “Apeirogon” which is narrated by him. I felt that I wanted to get his voice interpretation of his own work. The narrator always adds a layer to a story and McCann’s voice is melodic at times, emotional, and captivating.

This will be on many “Best of 2020” lists. This is a 1001 chapter novel that centers around the organization “Combatants for Peace” which is an organization for peace in the occupation of Palestine and “The Parent’s Circle-Families Forum” which is a family centered organization for the Israelis and Palestinians who have lost family members due to violence in the Palestine. Well, it’s centered around the insane violence and the politics behind it.

One cannot review it adequately. Listening to his story is a heartfelt education on the frustration, fear, anger surrounding the never-ending conflict. McCann spent four years going back to the area to do research for his novel. Listening to him tell the stories of the victims, the parents and family members is moving. McCann brings it to life and makes it real for those who do not live in that area.

I highly recommend this novel. The personal stories make this an emotional and moving read.

Brilliant and stunning

The best book I have read in years. Full of information and detail while at the same time expressing beautiful and flawless storytelling. I only wish I had the same gift of language as the author to give this book the articulate review it deserves.

Poetic and hopeful

The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is ages old now. But this poetically written story of two fathers who have lost their daughter brings them together to work towards peace.

Format is intrusive

The story is compelling and I loved the many explanatory notes, but I found the format annoying.