First published:
2023
ISBN: 978-608-243-619-7
Pages: 256
Format: 13×20
Cover: Paperback
Language: Macedonian
Translations:
Genre: Mystery
Synopsis
"Words" transcends the boundaries of genre, starting as a poignant exploration of grief and evolving into a captivating mystery with supernatural undertones.
Stefan, our protagonist, grapples with the persistent presence of his wife, Sara, even four years after her passing. He finds solace in routines: morning tea, story time at the kindergarten, and conversations with the bookish owner of his favorite store. During his routines, the memories of Sara follow him, pictured through a scent and brief conversation he is having with her.
Filip, a neurosurgeon, visits him one day and offers him anything he likes if he undertakes an operation which may awaken his sixth sense. Stefan initially rejects the offer.
His world crumbles when a baseless accusation disrupts his cherished routine and severs his connection to the children. Desperate to regain his purpose, Stefan accepts the radical proposal from Filip: an operation to awaken his sixth sense through trepanation, a historical procedure involving drilling a hole in the skull.
This unorthodox treatment unlocks a unique ability: Stefan can see words that linger after the ink fades from books. Each word is a part of the puzzle that forms a message from beyond. However, deciphering these messages proves challenging, requiring him to follow scents and piece together fragmented clues.
As he embarks on a series of thrilling investigations, Stefan encounters a cast of intriguing characters, each playing a crucial role in his transformation. Together, they navigate a world where the familiar coexists with the unseen, venturing beyond the realm of the purely "paranormal" into a rich tapestry of the literary and the tangible.
The journey culminates in a profound revelation, forcing Stefan to confront his loss and ultimately accept Sara's death. Through his experiences, not only does Stefan heal, but the surrounding people also undergo personal transformations, creating a cohesive and evolving community.
Excerpt:
Reviews
"...at the very first page, from the first foray into narration, we meet a skillful, mature, and formed author. What I mean is, the narrative, the descriptions, the multi-layered construction of the character, the multilayered depiction of the world and of the story which is thick, full of, ambient and sensorial threats –all that points to a very ready author, a novelist, that necessary is a very experienced reader."
Frosina Parmakoska
"The characters grouped around (the main character) Stefan aid in his building and transformation, but they also transform, a small universe where this familiar world overlaps with a subtle, invisible, yet present world. I wouldn't call it paranormal because it is much more than that, a literary world with the mark of time, authentically portrayed."
Mersiha Ismajloska
