"Martel's new novel, Son of Nobody, offers a fresh perspective on the Trojan War, focusing on the experiences of an unknown soldier named Psoas, rather than the well-known heroes."
"The narrative is enriched by Harlow Donne's story, a modern researcher whose personal struggles, including a marriage breakdown and relationship with his daughter, are presented through humorous footnotes."
"Inspired by Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Iliad, Martel found the poem's intensity and exploration of life and death compelling, leading to a creative surge of ideas."
"Martel critiques the Iliad's focus on the elite, suggesting that the narrative often overlooks the perspectives of ordinary people caught in the chaos of war."
Yann Martel's writing studio is small, located in Saskatoon, Canada. His new novel, Son of Nobody, presents the Trojan War through the eyes of an unknown soldier named Psoas. The narrative is intertwined with the story of Harlow Donne, a researcher in present-day Oxford, who faces personal challenges. Inspired by Homer's Iliad, Martel's work contrasts the lives of the elite with the experiences of ordinary individuals. The novel combines a full poem with humorous and domestic footnotes, reflecting on life and death's complexities.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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