Daniel's Beetles

by Tony Bianchi

At the age of six, Daniel was playing with insects in the garden when he saw his father fall to his death. Forty years later, Daniel is a middle-aged entomologist stuck in an unsatisfying relationship and caring for his increasingly forgetful mother. His humdrum life takes a dramatic turn when a blind woman joins his monthly reading group and recruits him to prepare translations for a mysterious company. As his new job’s duties become all-consuming, the boundaries between reality and fantasy, memory and experience, and vision and blindness all begin to blur. Gradually, Daniel uncovers a sinister way to help his mother enjoy her memories and, in turn, rewrite his own past. Offering a fresh perspective on the subjects of memory and deceit, this narrative also provides insight into the world of contemporary Welsh literature.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Nia Goode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wedi mwynhau

[Ruth Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read although I am cursing my inadequate Welsh (yet again) as I wish I could read it in its original language. Daniel himself is a revelation. At the beginning, he is constantly excusing his natural pedantry and seems more at ease with insects than with people which made me think he was going to be one of those characters who mainly reacts to situations. There are hints that there's a lot going on underneath, though and then you find out what he's really capable of. The book's main theme is resonant and haunting and what Daniel is able to do within the story is only a few steps in advance of what we all do every day, I suppose. Also, it has a very satisfying ending. I am sure it is going to stay in my own memory for a long time.