At the end of volume 1 of this amazing literary experiment, the reader left Jaques Deza on the point of answering his front door. As the second volume opens, we find out who was behind that door, but, once again, more questions are asked than answered... It is Marias's genius to lead us through a labryrinth of mediations on trust, relationships and violence whilst always maintaining an extraordinary sense of suspense.
Deza is a lonely Spaniard, adrift in London after his marriage has collapsed and drawn into a shady world of espionage by a maveric character named Tupra. Unhappy about what he is doing, but unable to extricate himself, Deza finds himself accompanying Tupra to a variety of social functions where he is called upon to analyse the behaviour of various guests. Tupra's behaviour becomes increasingly sinister, resulting in a moment where he forces Deza to witness him dealing out retribution to a man who has overreached himself. As Deza watches Tupra cornering the unfortunate man in the toilets of a nightclub, threatening him with a sword and then forcing his head into the toilet, he reflects on stories his father told him of betrayal and violence during the Spanish Civil War. Is the world a ruthless and brutal place with little hope for those who seek to live a kinder life? Marias leaves us wanting the third volume to find out...
