A fable told in a simplistic style, third person from the PoV of 'Four', past tense, with every character pseudonymous.
'Four' has been contracted to drive a machine which will create a tarmac road through a country recently riven by civil war. He is partnered with 'Nine' who will drive a quad bike to clear potential obstacles ahead. But while Four is a model of conscientiousness, Nine is "a vortex - all rationality was devoured within him.” (Ch 9) Nine breaks the rules: sleeping with prostitutes, eating at local restaurants, giving to the needy. Inevitably, they clash. And with dangers all around, from malaria to bandits, can they finish the road on time for the celebratory parade.
A gripping 'buddy movie' tale in which the menace crescendos to a climax.
Selected quotes:
- “Medallion had created a raft of hope and Four found himself climbing onto it.” (Ch 15)
Eggers has also written:
- The Every (2021)
- Contrapposto (2026)
October 2026; 179 pages
First publsished in the USA by Knopf in 2019
My paperback edition issued in the UK by Penguin in 2020
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