An old American who lives in Brazil is writing his memoirs. Call him Oscar Progressoâor whatever else you like. He sits in a mountain garden in NiterÃģi, overlooking the ocean. As he reminisces and writes, placing the pages carefully in his antproof case, an epic adventure unfolds. We learn that he was a World War II ace who was shot down twice, an investment banker who met with popes and presidents, and a man who was never not in love.
But that doesnât begin to cover our narratorâs immense and fascinating journey through the 20th century. He was also the thief of the century, a murderer, and a protector of the innocent. All his life he waged a valiant, losing, one-man battle against the worldâs most insidious enslaver: coffee.
The acclaimed author of Winterâs Tale and A soldier of the Great War, Mark Helprin now offers âa tour de force that combines adventure, romance and an overview of the 20th century into a bittersweet narrativeâ (Publishers Weekly, starred review).