The Topography of Pain

(Paperback)

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Description

The Topography of Pain is divided into three parts, each with its own protagonist and very distinctive plot, yet connected to reflect similar themes from very different angles and time periods. Present day: Nada, a young woman whose diagnosis of her multiple sclerosis means she can no longer manage to do the normal part-time jobs students do, follows a classmate into selling her body via the internet to cover her study expenses. 1990s: Jaro, whom we discover to be Nada's father, speaks about his illusions before the Velvet Revolution, about waiting for freedom, his hopes of a fairer world and about what actually happened after the regime change. 2040s: In the near future, where cities have joined to create huge agglomerations, social differences have become deeper and the boundary between the real and virtual has become blurred, Adam moves through this fluid world with unlimited energy and seems to be enjoying life. But he is finally caught up by the consequences of some very important and surprising decisions.

Reviews

In his extraordinary triptych, Ivan Lesay takes us on a journey through time from communist Czechoslovakia through Slovakia's transitional present to the futuristic world of tomorrow. The Topography of Pain is a surprising narrative, a brave writing odyssey by a talented writer.

--Goran Vojnovic, writer, screenwriter and film director, Slovenia

Ivan Lesay's ambitious debut novel deftly switches perspectives, letting the reader guess the relations between its three protagonists: the beautiful student Naa, the aspiring journalist Jaro, and Adam, a young man who falls down to earth from dizzying technological heights.

--Julia Sherwood, translator, United Kingdom

Someone who just wants to be left in peace is being hit hard by destiny and biology. Ordinary people have extraordinary lives. The periphery happens to live the very essence of history. Is it because of the time and the place All kinds of division here! Plus lots of love and alcohol, very naturally present.

--Jnis Joevs, writer, Latvia

The revolution broke the system. The country broke in two. The people broke in pieces. The Topography of Pain unfolds as an intricate narrative that delves deep into the torment spanning three generations, unveiling its myriad facets, whether surreal, hyper-realistic, or post-apocalyptic.

--Alexandra Salmela, writer, Finland

Author Bio

Ivan Lesay is a Slovak political scientist, economist, civil servant, columnist and writer. In the years 20152017, he served as State Secretary of the Finance Ministry of the Slovak Republic. His works include a popular study of the 2008 Financial Crisis ivot na ver (Vetko, co ste chceli vediet o krze)/ Living on Credit (Everything you Wanted to Know about the Crisis), co-authored with Prof. Joachim Becker and the children's book A-KO-E (Lesankin fantastick svet) / A-KO-E (Lesanka's Fantastic World). His debut novel Topografia bolesti [Topography of Pain] was published by the publishing house IKAR in May 2020 and scored 3rd in the national Book of the year 2020 award by the journal Knin revue [Book Review]. Lesay also authored a radio play for children Ako Rok spoznal svojich dvanst roztopanch potomkov [On How the Rock Got to Know His Twelve Playful Offsprings].

Jonathan Grestyis a translator from Slovak who currently teaches English at Preov University in Slovakia. Originally from the UK, he has lived in Slovakia since 1992 and has translated a wide range of Slovak literature into English, including the novelThe Camp of Fallen Womenby Anton Bal (2016).