Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel

Because of "Pi," I bought this book in hardcover the day it came out. When the panning began, I moved it to the bottom of the stack. Until last month, when I decided to skim it or sell it. Then I read it in one sitting.

I found a brilliant, daring, cunningly imagined, and beautifully written novel. Not always easy, not always pretty, had to skip some searing descriptions near the end, but an absolute tour de force, with echoes of "Waiting for Godot."  Will read it again with my book group next month.