Apeirogon: a shape with a countably infinite number of sides.
This hybrid novel weaves together elements of speculation, memory, fact, and imagination into a brilliantly inventive work of art that captures Occupied Palestine and Israel in its many-faceted sides. You don’t read this novel as much as “experience” it.
Two grieving fathers are at the heart of the novel and were the inspiration for it. Bassam Aramin (a Palestinian) and Rami Elhanan (an Israeli) have both lost daughters to the conflict. They have become close friends. These fathers met in a Parents Circle and go around the world telling their stories. They speak to heal, united in loss. They are not advocating for one side or the other, they are fighting for peace by forging connection through shared experience–Combatants for Peace.
Our world needs stories like this. This book isn’t perfect, but it’s important.
Using a number of seemingly unrelated historical, cultural, and biographical snapshots, McCann reframes the never-ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Parts of it may seem random, but the author advises readers to ’embrace the confusion.’ He says, “let the emotion of the novel wash over you, even if you’re not sure what exactly is going on.” A complicated situation is confusing, and that’s ok.
The structure of the novel is unusual. The first part of the book counts fragmentary chapters up to 499 and the second part counts back down from 499, with Chapter 1001 in the middle (a reference to The Thousand and One Arabian Nights). At the pinnacle are two Chapter 500s, one for each of the fathers to speak from the heart at length. It’s a breathtaking moment in the book.
Lovers of McCann’s earlier novel Let the Great World Spin will be delighted that tight-rope walker Philippe Petit even makes a guest appearance!
The author captures the novel well in this short interview with no spoilers. It’s a good introduction to the book.
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