The Book of Goose

by Yiyun Li

M. Devaux: I should say a few words about him. He, like Fabienne, begins this story, but he was already in his sixties when we were thirteen. I suspect that he is dead now. He should be. Fabienne is dead, and he should not have more rights to life than she.

But the scheme, like that to grow happiness, entertained us for some days and was then replaced by a new one. We never seriously carried out any of our plans. It was enough to feel that we could, if we wanted, make things happen.

Telling a story past its expiration date is like exhuming a body long buried. The reason for doing so is not always clear to everyone.

Revenge is a story that often begins with more promises than the ending can offer.