Anna’s ultimate aim is to explain how “we do what we do, or tolerate what we tolerate, or love who we love”. In part two, the novel continues to explore the nature of love, desire, and meaning. Anna enters a relationship with Karim, an Algerian Muslim software engineer living and working in Celtic Tiger Dublin. Karim initially appears sensitive, caring, and kind, though on meeting him, Anna frets her erudition will discourage his interest. Anna, who is clearly cerebrally superior to Peter and Karim, offers retrospective psychological reasons for falling for such humdrum, limited men.

Source: Irish Examiner March 28, 2026 01:04 UTC