The Man Who Saw Everything

In Deborah Levy's electrifying novel The Man Who Saw Everything, longlisted for the Booker Prize, we follow Saul Adler, a self-absorbed historian, as he travels to Communist East Berlin in 1988 for research that requires him to portray the regime positively. A seemingly simple favor for his translator's sister—a photograph reminiscent of the iconic Abbey Road album cover—takes a dramatic turn when he is struck by a car, altering the course of his life. The narrative delves into themes of beauty, envy, and the complexities of perception, exploring how history and personal relationships intertwine amidst the specters of love, betrayal, and the power dynamics of Europe.