In an unnamed totalitarian regime, a line begins to form at a ticket kiosk which appears to be permanently closed. Rumors fly that an exiled composer is coming to perform his works. From this teasing premise, Grushin spins an unforgettable parable about finding hope amid drudgery, love amid oppression, and beauty even in the greyest surroundings. The Line isn't just a masterful story - it will become part of how you see the world. — Charles Bottomley
Description
An "utterly brilliant" (Library Journal) new novel from the author of the award-winning The Dream Life of Sukhanov.
The line begins to form on the whispered rumor that a famous exiled composer is returning to Russia to conduct his last symphony. Tickets will be limited. The concert date unknown. Nameless strangers join the line, jostling for preferred position. But as the seasons change and the kiosk remains shuttered, these anonymous souls evolve into a community. Bound together in their longing for something wonderful and miraculous, they allow themselves to dream. An utterly transformative work that speaks to the endurance of the human spirit, The Line confirms Grushin's place in the pantheon of today's most important new writers.
About the Author
Olga Grushin was born in Moscow in 1971. She studied at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow State University, and Emory University. Her short fiction has appeared in Partisan Review, Confrontation, The Massachusetts Review, and Art Times. This is her first novel. Grushin, who became an American citizen in 2002, lives in Washington, D.C.
