`Author:` by Anne Michaels `Availability:` > [!info] > https://ellethinks.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/fugitive-pieces-by-anne-michaels/ ## Summary *Fugitive Pieces* is a novel by Canadian poet and author Anne Michaels, first published in 1996. The book is divided into two parts and explores themes of memory, trauma, and the enduring impact of history on individual lives. The first part of the novel follows Jakob Beer, a Polish Jewish boy who survives the Holocaust after his family is killed by the [[Nazis]]. Jakob is rescued by a Greek geologist, Athos Roussos, who hides him on the island of Zakynthos and later takes him to live in Greece and then Canada. Jakob grows up to become a poet and translator, grappling with the weight of his past and the loss of his family. His relationship with Athos is central to his healing, as Athos becomes a father figure and mentor, teaching Jakob about the natural world and the importance of preserving memory. The second part of the novel shifts perspective to Ben, a young Canadian professor who is deeply influenced by Jakob's poetry. Ben, the child of Holocaust survivors, struggles with his own inherited trauma and the emotional distance in his marriage. Through his connection to Jakob's work, Ben begins to confront his own history and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. Michaels' prose is lyrical and poetic, blending historical detail with profound meditations on love, loss, and the power of art to heal. *Fugitive Pieces* is a haunting exploration of how individuals and societies carry the weight of history, and how memory and storytelling can offer a path toward redemption and understanding. The novel won numerous awards, including the Orange Prize for Fiction, and has been widely acclaimed for its emotional depth and literary craftsmanship. ## Key Takeaways ## Quotes - ## Notes `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`