The Man Who Saw Everything

It is 1988, and Saul Adler, a narcissistic young historian, has been invited to Communist East Berlin to conduct research. In return, he must write a flattering essay about the German Democratic Republic. As a gift for his translator’s sister, Saul’s girlfriend plans to photograph him in the Abbey Road crosswalk, paying homage to the iconic album cover. But as he waits for her arrival, an oncoming car grazes him, setting his life on an unexpected course.

The Man Who Saw Everything explores the challenge of truly seeing ourselves and those around us. It confronts the lingering ghosts of old and new love, past and present Europe, conscious and hidden transgressions, and both real and imagined betrayals. At the same time, it probes the cyclical nature of history and the ways it is reshaped by those in power. 

Longlisted for the Booker Prize. Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review and The Washington Post.