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These three internationally acclaimed novels have confirmed Agota Kristof's reputation as one of the most provocative exponents of new-wave European fiction. With all the stark simplicity of a fractured fairy tale, the trilogy tells the story of twin brothers, Claus and Lucas, locked in an agonizing bond that becomes a gripping allegory of the forces that have divided "brothers" in much of Europe since World War II. Kristof's postmodern saga begins with The Notebook, in which the brothers are children, lost in a country torn apart by conflict, who must learn every trick of evil and cruelty merely to survive. In The Proof, Lucas is challenging to prove his own identity and the existence of his missing brother, a defector to the "other side." The Third Lie, which closes the trilogy, is a biting parable of Eastern and Western Europe today and a deep exploration into the nature of identity, storytelling, and the truths and untruths that lie at the heart of them all. "Stark and haunting." - The San Francisco Chronicle; "A vision of considerable depth and complexity, a powerful portrait of the nobility and perversity of the human heart." - The Christian Science Monitor.
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August 15, 2009: Fans of the Mother/Earthbound video games know that Agota Kristof's "The Notebook" served as inspiration for the third installment in that series, Mother 3. These books are a great way to get to know source material that inspired an instant classic, and also a new way to look at a precarious time in history (WWII). As you read through the trilogy, you will find that things are not as the narrators would like you to believe, and the characters may be more than they let on. It definitely gets the reader thinking. The writing style is simple, not very metaphorical. It would be an easy read for just about any age, but because of its graphic and sometimes objectionable content, I would not recommend this book for younger people. College age students and older would be the most appropriate audience.
It's worth giving a try! It may not be for everyone, but it will make you think, if nothing else.I Also Recommend: Night, 1984, Animal Farm.