Cesar Vallejo, renowned Peruvian poet, lies dying in hospital – he’s hiccupping himself to death. When the doctors struggle to offer a diagnosis, his wife pins her hopes on the mesmerist and reclusive bachelor Pierre Pain. But after the appearance of two mysterious Spaniards, Monsieur Pain finds his access to the hospital barred and things soon go awry . . .


About the Author:

Roberto Bolano was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1953. He grew up in Chile and Mexico City. His novel, The Savage Detectives was chosen as one of the ten best books of 2007 by the Washington Post and the New York Times Book Review. His posthumous masterpiece, 2666, won the National Book Critics Circle Award.