To appreciate this book, you have to enjoy the deepest ethereal descriptions, which start from the first sentence, on Simon Limbre’s heart.
Stunning writing depicting a harrowing 24 hours, dropping the readers into the thoughts and dialogue and minute-to-minute experience of a tragedy, the victim’s quick demise thereafter, before the race against the clock to extract organs, including for a heart transplant, to allow new life.
From the stunning opening description of surfers paddling out for a winter session in northern France (I surf, this was brilliantly researched), to the emotions of parents learning of a lost son, to what all of the medical and logistics staff go through in a live heart transplant, this is an intricately researched, page-turner of a novel.
Reminder to self to look further into Maylis De Kerangal’s work.
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