High as the Waters Rise

In this National Book Award finalist, "High as the Waters Rise," Waclaw, an oil rig worker, faces a profound emotional journey after his close friend and bunkmate, Mátyás, mysteriously disappears, presumed drowned. Grieving and solitary, Waclaw travels through various countries, including Morocco, Hungary, and Germany, where he encounters a series of lost souls that illuminate his past and the complexities of a globalized economy reliant on dwindling resources. Through these encounters, the story delves into themes of male intimacy, memory, and the stark reality of freedom amidst societal margins—offering a poignant exploration of grief and connection.