There are few novels able to employ dream logic as effectively as this little gem from Archipielago Books. Agualusa blends layers of metaphor and genre into an effective dream of personal and political struggle.

There were a few moments I felt a little lost result this. Not that I didn't understand what was happening but the plot events become loosely connected in the center of the story and while the translation flows, the novel asks the reader to go on without traditional guidance. In less capable hands this could lead to disastrous results: a lumbering plot, difficulty picking the novel up, or worst of all, an abandoned read. Agualusa avoids all of that with a strong protagonist, well drawn characters, and a sense of magic in his cohesive, dream-like fluidity of narrative.

There is more to discuss. A lot more, particularly in the United States in 2020. I would highly recommend reading this with a friend or a book group so you can tease out some of the meaning.