2011 Nominated
Waiting for Columbus
ABOUT
THE BOOK
In a Spanish mental institution in 2004, a man who believes he is Christopher Columbus begins to tell his story. Nurse Consuela listens, hoping to discover what tragedy drove this educated, cultured man to retreat from reality. This Columbus is not heroic: he falls in love with every woman he meets, and, on land, he has absolutely no sense of direction. More troublingly, he is convinced a terrible tragedy is coming. Yet with each tale, Consuela draws closer to this lost navigator.
Waiting for Columbus is richly imagined, cinematic, and often playful; a novel about truth, loss, love, and hope by a writer at the height of his powers
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
A man wakes up in a mental institution in Spain, insisting that he is Christopher Columbus. As he tells detailed stories from 15th century and the present and charms staff and residents, the unknown patient also challenges staff, residents and readers to solve the mystery of his identity. Winner of City of Edmonton Book Prize and shortlisted for an Alberta Literary Award.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Country
Canada
Original Language
English
Nominating Library