Hubert Haddad

* I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. *

Desirable Body is a novel about the first ever full body transplant. Investigative journalist Cedric Erg suffers a horrific boat accident that leaves him dead from the neck down. His estranged father intervenes and arranges for an experimental transplant to be conducted, grafting his son's head onto the body of a brain-dead man.

The operation seems successful, but Cedric finds himself in a tussle show more with his own body; will his brain be able to take control of all of these foreign organs? He also finds himself facing existential questions, such as the fact that any children he has will have the donor's genes, not his. What does it mean to live like this?

There is potential for a really great novel in this idea, but I'm afraid that Haddad doesn't get there. His approach is a bit lightweight and even silly, with many unexplored and underdeveloped plot lines and a clumsy resolution. show less

I read this book for two reasons. First, I read and love all Open Letter publications to date. Secondly,I plan on attending a release party for this book in a couple of days and received a complimentary copy prior to the event which will include a reading by the translator and other activities with the spiritualist theme. Yikes! Imagine my surprise when I encountered this poorly written novel. The story is based on fact, the Fox sisters from Rochester and their being the impetus for the show more Spiritualist Movement. I do not know whether the problem is with the author's writing or the translation. However, the choppy, awkward narrative was very difficult to read. I am disappointed in this, the first publication which elicits only frustration. show less

Operation Vent printanier was the code name for the rounding up of Jews in July 1942 in Paris. This is enough to reveal the theme of these harrowing stories. Beautifully produced book but distressing to read.

peut-être que j'y reviendrai un jour... suis arrivée à la page 49