I nostri fratelli inattesi

On a tiny island in the North Atlantic, Antioch, reside only two people: the Canadian cartoonist Alec Zander and the writer Ève Saint-Gilles, author of a single masterpiece. The two live their respective solitudes across the island’s forty-six hectares, separated from the rest of the archipelago by a narrow stretch of sea that can be crossed on foot at low tide. However, their quiet and routine lives are shattered by a total blackout; all means of communication are down, forcing them to emerge from their guarded isolation.

What has happened? Has the world fallen victim to a tragedy? The threats of nuclear conflict and terrorist actions had been in the air for some time, and the international situation was complex and dangerous enough to justify the fear of a catastrophe. Slowly, Alec manages to solve the mystery. The nuclear crisis was averted by the appearance of a mysterious community, the "People of Empedocles," possessing incredible knowledge and abilities that they have kept secret for centuries while living among humans. This encounter with these unexpected brothers upends humanity and the course of history.

In a dense and captivating novel, Amin Maalouf tackles central themes of contemporary debate to which he has already dedicated unforgettable essays.

Author: Amin Maalouf (أَمِين مَعْلُوف)

He is a world-renowned Lebanese-born French author and a member of the Académie Française. Known for his deep historical insights and elegant prose, his work often explores themes of identity, civilization, and the intersections of East and West.