This book was interesting but maybe a little too out there for my tastes. Definitely one of a kind and worth checking out.

Deborah Levy is a magical writer her stories how she weaves themes and characters together.This book drew me in from the first we meet a young man Saul Adler those he surrounds himself with the re-enactment of the cover of Abbey Road haunting .So complex so involving deserves all the awards as do all her books,

My sincere thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advanced reading copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

I'm not quite sure why (or how) Levy has emerged as one of my favorite authors - I have now read almost everything she's ever published (the one exception being Diary of a Steak, which I finally tracked down a reasonably priced copy of, so will read soon, completest that I am). She never really repeats herself in either style or topics, but you can bet a Levy book is always carefully crafted, intriguingly obtuse, and each book almost demands multiple readings to parse out the hidden meanings.

Her latest tome is perhaps her most erudite and jam-packed box of tricks; a kaleidoscopic investigation of the fractured mind of protagonist Saul Adler, with two sections set in two different time frames (or are they?) - in 1988 the then 28 year old budding historian undergoes a minor accident while attempting to have his girlfriend Jennifer take a picture of him recreating the iconic Beatles Abbey Road album cover. Then, in 2016, the middle aged Adler seemingly has another, more serious accident, that splits his mind and memory into many fragments, calling into question everything that has gone before in the previous hundred pages.

I found myself racing through to find out what happens on a basic level, which perhaps does a disservice to how beautifully Levy weaves her various threads together, so fully intend to go back very soon and reread so that I can appreciate more fully her luminous language. I also expect this to garner as much praise and awards attention as her previous Hot Milk, and hope to see it make the Booker list this year, and perhaps walk away with the prize. If nothing else, it is guaranteed a spot on my top 5 of 2019.

Unfortunately, I am unable to read and review books that are available only as a PDF. It is helpful when publishers indicate on the informational page when a book is not in kindle formatting.

I was intrigued and puzzled from the very first paragraph beginning in London, 1988.
Saul Adler says:
“I was thinking about how Jennifer Moreau had told me I was never to describe her beauty, not to her, or to anyone else. When I asked her why I was silenced in this way, she said, ‘Because you only have old words to describe me.’
This was on my mind when I stepped onto the zebra crossing with it’s black-and-white stripes at which all vehicles must stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road. A car was coming towards me but it did not stop. I had to jump backwards and fell on my hip, using my hands to protect myself from the fall.
The car stalled and a man rolled down the window. He was in his sixties, silver hair, dark eyes, thin lips. He asked if I was okay. When I did not answer he stepped out of the car”.

As the story continued.... sentence after sentence, I was puzzled - interested but definitely puzzled.

From an rectangle shape object the driver was holding in his hand with an angry voice inside that Saul hears - to the strange conversation between the driver and Saul about his ‘girlfriend’- and her ‘age’...
to Saul ‘meeting’ his girlfriend- has sex -( which she initiates, followed by Saul asking Jennifer if she will consider marrying him), to a sudden breakup.

Both Saul and Jennifer ( a photographer), baffled me...
They were interesting perplexing characters.

Basic details fill in. Saul is 28 years old. Jennifer is 23.
Saul’s a historian. Saul’s father - a communist- had recently died. He’s going to bury his father’s ashes in East Germany.
Saul’s mother was Jewish and died in a car crash.

Saul’s on his way to East Germany, the GDR, to do research on the rise of fascism in exchange for publishing a flattering essay about the German Democratic Republic. A journey will unfold... that will keep you reading but you’ll be having questions...
GET COMFORTABLE WITH UNCERTAINTY.

Saul’s leaving in 3 days.
He speaks German - but is assigned a German translator anyway: Walter Muller.
Saul will be staying with Walter and his family.
Walter’s sister, (Luna), is Beatles die-hard fan ... so it was Jennifer’s idea to photograph Saul on ‘Abby Road’ and bring it to her.
He was also requested to bring a tin of pineapple. I had my first laugh about slices or chunks - in syrup or juice?

Baffled and confused - (but definitely engaged) - are words to describe how I felt for the first half of this book.
As I continued reading - an ‘aha’ moment came... suggesting things are not as they seem.
Oh my gosh and then it hit me...
THINGS REALLY *AREN’T* AS THEY SEEM.

Can we see ourselves as easily as others see us? Do others see us more clearly than we see ourselves?

This book is odd - with lots of unraveling to do - but it’s captivating - endearing.... humorous - haunting - charming - and tender.
Most.... it’s brilliantly crafted!!!

If you’re a puzzle lover - you’ll love unraveling this story.
I leave you with one word to ponder... displacement!!!

Thank You Nicole for sending me this book!!!
Oh you naughty woman.
Yes... I enjoyed it very much!!! Going to go stand in front of the mirror now. 😉
And... that’s it - I’m reading more books by Deborah Levy! This was only my second. “Hot Milk” was odd and great too.

Other Levy fans???
Which Levy book should I read next? I’m in!!!!

I first became aware of Deborah Levy in 2010 when I came across “Swimming Home”. I learned that Ms. Levy has long been recognized as a prominent playwright a poet. Next up for me was “Hot Milk” (2016) that made a strong impact on me. I could see the scenes vividly; Andalusia came to life in all its eerie splendor. I could see the playwright/poet telling a scary story.

“The Man Who Saw Everything” takes this genre/technique melding another step forward. Levy weaves an intricate tale that melds history, time, art, and relationships. The novel becomes a Mobius continuum where memory slips in and out, backwards and forwards, resulting in a sometimes humorous, oftentimes tragic melding of life’s moments. While the sentences and dialogue are often breathtaking, it is the impact of the “whole” that will stay with me.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the ERC.