'Swiss classics teacher abandons everything to research Portuguese doctor' might be the summary of this book but Gregorius' search leads him to consider not just a life story but any life (and more particularly death), plus friendship, family and God. I normally read extremely quickly but this book I just had to savour.
'If only he hadn't been so mercilessly honest with himself. So possessed by the struggle against self-deception. Bearing the truth about himself can be demanded of man, he used to say. It was like a religious confession. A vow that bound him with Jorge. A credo that ultimately undermined even that sacred friendship. That damned sacred friendship.'
