The Most Secret Memory of Men

“[The Most Secret Memory of Men] travels through space and time, from contemporary Paris to postwar Argentina to a Senegalese village. Besides the main narrator, a collection of voices complement one another to form an overall story, as one of the novel’s main goals is to put different realities and traditions ‘on the same level.’” —New York Times

“Captivating, precise, sensual prose. A book that will stir your emotions and make you think. A love letter to literature, this novel is already a classic and it will haunt you.” —Leïla Slimani, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Nanny

“More than an engrossing investigation into the mysterious author of a cursed book, Sarr’s magnificent novel also offers a profound reflection on the resonance of literature in our lives.” —David Diop, International Booker Prize–winning author of At Night All Blood Is Black

“The impressive ambition and stunning narrative energy of The Most Secret Memory of Men carried all before it.” —Le Monde

“The revelation of the literary year.” —L’Express

“I thought I’d come to terms with the spellbinding style of this young prodigy of Senegalese literature. That was until I came across his most luminous, vertiginous, and cerebral novel, The Most Secret Memory of Men. Sprinkled with flashes of rare purity, this is a high-flying reflection on the art of writing as well as the freedom and solitude it brings to the writer. Here comes an investigation about a cursed author, in which not one style, but many styles are woven together to give birth to a masterpiece of pure wonder. Sarr has written a political, funny, and sensual work of fiction that readers will devour like if it was a detective fiction with an esoteric flavor. It's also a compelling journey into the dark pages of History, as well as to the heart of a question that lives in all those who can't live without books: what can literature do while so many events constantly beset us.” -Blaise Ndala, award-winning author of In the Belly of the Congo

“A powerful book, crossed by an epic breath that celebrates the power of literature.” -Alain Mabanckou, award-winning author of Black Moses

“Thanks to translator Lara Vergnaud, English-language readers can seamlessly experience Mohamed Mbougar Sarr’s pyrotechnic prose. A labyrinth of a novel, The Most Secret Memory of Men is as enthralling as it is thought-provoking. Sarr is a writer that comes along once in a lifetime.” -Eric Nguyen, award-winning author of Things We Lost to the Water