A novel that alternates voices and cities asks for a little attention at first, then finds its rhythm. Here are four markers that save you from rereading the same page three times.
Follow the voices, not the chapters
The simplest approach is to work out early who is speaking, and stick with it. Once the two voices are identified, the alternation becomes a rhythm rather than a confusion. If you lose the thread, go back to the start of the section, not the chapter.
Keep a map of the places
The novel moves: a hotel lobby, streets, a lake. Note the places as you go, on paper or in the margin. After fifty pages the book’s geography becomes as clear as that of a city you live in.
Spot the objects that return
Some objects and gestures come back without immediate explanation. Do not try to decode them straight away: note them. It is their return, later, that gives the book its meaning.
Read the first pages slowly
The temptation is to read fast to find out. Here it is the opposite: the first thirty pages set the rules. Take them slowly, accept not understanding everything, and the rest speeds up on its own.
Practical information
The novel reads well in a week at forty pages a day. If you read it while travelling, in Bangkok or elsewhere, leave the book at home in the evening: the novel’s places soon mix with those of the real city.
FAQ
Should I read Je respire encore first?
No, the two books read independently. The reverse order works too.
Is the novel difficult?
Not difficult, but it asks for attention at the start. It is a book that rewards patience.
Can I read it in translation?
Yes. English, Thai, Hindi and Chinese versions are available on the site.
Also read
The book
Mr Schaka lives with pulmonary fibrosis and has been travelling in Thailand for years. In The Season of Breath he tells the story of that journey, one step at a time, with humour and no self-pity.
