ldv 's review for:

The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel

4.0

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This novel is actually three novellas within one: "leaving home, going home, being home" is the paraphrase of their headings. They could be classified as Fall, Effect, Redemption in a nearly Christian allegory, but that would be too simplistic. Each story is its own, connected only by place and one event that creates the reader's recognition of the connection. Read the book like you read short stories: be in the moment, don't look for the arc of story but just note the life that is happening there before you and see it for itself. The third story was perhaps my favourite, but the middle story is also compelling. The first is comical and a bit absurd. I think this book could be re-read and new discoveries made. Worthy literature for study.