The Passion of Martin Fissel-Brandt

Did Martin Fissel-Brandt murder his wife? His cat accuses him of foul play, as does his lover, Anna, who after his wife's death leaves both Martin and France for Asia. Later, while on vacation, Martin coincidentally finds an undelivered letter addressed to the apartment where he and Anna used to meet. His discovery prompts the decision to find her again. He transfers his job to Asia, where he is immediately caught up in a local rebellion. His search for Anna takes him deeper into the violent unrest. Is it now too late for them? Is Martin Fissel-Brandt hallucinating, or is it his destiny to find Anna again under these circumstances? Christian Gailly is often cited for his experimental approach to narrative, and his work is characterized by a fascination with coincidence and often fantastic chance encounters or near encounters. Born in Paris to a working-class family, Gailly's education was cut short at the age of fifteen. He worked as a jazz saxophonist, taught himself the literature of psychoanalysis, and while in his forties, began his literary career. The Passion of Martin Fissel-Brandt is the first of Gailly's novels to be translated into English.