"A sweeping tale of conspiracy theories, assassinations, and twisted obsessions -- the much anticipated masterpiece from Juan Gabriel Vasquez. The Shape of the Ruins is a masterly story of conspiracy, political obsession, and literary investigation. A man is arrested at a museum in Colombia for attempting to steal the bullet-ridden suit of an assassin. The incident barely makes the news though the political murder this assassin committed years before set off riots that ushered in a decade of bloody civil war in the country -- "La Violencia" -- a time that still echos throughout Colombia. Soon this theft takes on greater meaning as it becomes a thread in a widening web of popular obsessions with conspiracy theories and the truth; and it haunts the peoplewho feel that only they know the real truth behind these killings. This novel explores the darkest moments of a country's past and brings to life the hidden characters who have unknowingly shaped its modern landscape. A compulsive read, beautiful and profound and eerily relevant to our times, The Shape of the Ruins is the tour-de-force story by a master at uncovering the incisive wounds of our political memory"-- - (Baker & Taylor)
A sweeping tale of conspiracy theories, assassinations, and twisted obsessions -- the much anticipated masterpiece from Juan Gabriel Vásquez.<br><br>The Shape of the Ruins is a masterly story of conspiracy, political obsession, and literary investigation. When a man is arrested at a museum for attempting to steal the bullet-ridden suit of a murdered Colombian politician, few notice. But soon this thwarted theft takes on greater meaning as it becomes a thread in a widening web of popular fixations with conspiracy theories, assassinations, and historical secrets; and it haunts those who feel that only they know the real truth behind these killings. <br><br>This novel explores the darkest moments of a country's past and brings to life the ways in which past violence shapes our present lives. A compulsive read, beautiful and profound, eerily relevant to our times and deeply personal, The Shape of the Ruins is a tour-de-force story by a master at uncovering the incisive wounds of our memories. - (Gale / Cengage Learning)