Hypnotic in its prose, this short little story (around 60 pages) with a hefty, and actually extremely valuable introduction, accomplishes quite a bit in a short time. Amos descends into a fit of madness as he turns his thought inward, resulting in a clash of his person and the feral, unknowable, creature within. A relationship his life as a mathematician and husband and father grants no armour whatever, resulting in further spiralling.

This must have been very difficult to translate because the rhythm and specific cadence forming around this self sacrificial ritual that is Amos life builds and builds, then is contextualized with poetry. The diction feels meticulous. The absurdity builds. Sometimes it’s opaque, even—but the themes are well established and vivid.

A compelling experience that forced me to examine the text and reflect; qualities I very much enjoy.