Federico Axat is a representative of the young generation of Latin American literature. In 2010 he released his first novel, three years later the next book was published, and in 2016 — the most successful and famous — «Last Chance».
The protagonist of this psychedelic detective is the successful businessman Ted McKay. He has an ideal family, a well-paid job. However, the novel begins with the hero bringing a pistol to his temple. It turns out that Ted is diagnosed with brain cancer. But a stranger suddenly knocks on the door, and everything starts to go according to an unplanned scenario. Gradually, Ted realizes the strangeness of what is happening. Events are out of control, where is dream and where is reality? … Grabbing at the fragments of crumbling reality, Ted tries to figure out what is really happening and what is in his head.
Last Chance has been translated into 30 languages, and Hollywood has already bought the rights to film it.
Quotes:
“Something on the table suddenly caught his attention. It was a piece of paper folded in half, exactly like the one on which he had written Holly’s farewell letter. But the name of the wife was not on this sheet. Didn’t he, an idiot, think to destroy all the analyzes? The screams outside the door did not stop. Ted, comforting himself with the thought that the unexpected delay was of any benefit, unfolded the paper and read the note. From what I read, frost passed through my skin. Handwriting it. However, he did not remember writing at least one of these two phrases. »
“Ted was standing outside the glass door. He watched in amazement as the possum plunged pointed teeth into dead flesh, staring indifferently into space with his puppet eyes. How he rips Holly’s pink skin. Ted knew for sure that it was his wife’s leg. Fingers — swollen bloody cherries, an uneven cut below the knee, a disheveled tangle of blood vessels and ligaments, a piece of bone. »
“When considering a move, he always sat in the same position: leaning his elbows on the table and resting his chin with his palms. And I usually kept my hands under the table and leaned forward a little. So we were sitting, when suddenly Miller collapsed right onto the board. His hands gave way, and his head fell like a steel ball. The figures scattered in all directions. «
La ultima salida © by Federico Axat, 2016
Published in the Russian language by arrangement with
Pontas Literary & Film Agency
© Edition in Russian, translation into Russian, design.
Sindbad Publishing House, 2017.
Recorded by Vimbo Production Center
© & ℗ LLC «Vimbo», 2017
Producers: Vadim Bukh, Mikhail Litvakov
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