The Nature of Blood

Начало книги

In the course of writing this novel I referred to many works which space does not allow me to acknowledge. I would, however, like to express my debt to two books: Trent 14.75 by R. Po-Chia Hsia (Yale University Press), and Portobuffole by Salomone G. Radzik (Editrice La Giuntina).

BETWEEN us a small fire sputtered. When the wind rose, the flames occasionally danced. A pair of young men moved from fire to fire, carefully replenishing each nest of flames with sticks and twigs from a wicker basket which they bore with authority. They passed from one group to the next, eager to be seen to be efficiently carrying out their task. After they had finished with my fire, I thanked them and received their silent nods in reply. I watched as they strode away to the next group. The new kindling snapped, and the flames rose higher and illuminated the boy's face. He spoke quietly.

'Tell me, what will be the name of the country?'

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