This book moves between the story of Henry, a writer much like Martel, who wants to tell a story about the Holocaust, but in a different and unexpected way. Along the way Henry meets a taxidermist. This taxidermist has a story to tell as well: this one in the form of a play with two main characters, a howler monkey (Virgil) and a donkey (Beatrice). Beatrice and Virgil give us many insights into human behavior as well. I'm not sure how much else I can say without giving things away, but this is a powerful novel that resonated with me for days after finishing it.