The remarkable new novel by Mexico's preeminent novelist Carlos Fuentes, now in paperback _________________________ ‘Dazzling ... The translation by Margaret Sayers Paden is elegant' - New York Times Book Review ‘A complex, focused novel ' - The Times 'Passionate ... a paean to music and musical genius, to romantic love and the mysterious sources of language and creativity' - Newsday _________________________ In this magical story of love and art, life and death, Carlos Fuentes entwines two narratives: one tells of the passion of orchestra conductor Gabriel Atlan-Ferrara for red-haired Mexican diva, Inez Prada; the other of the first encounter in human history between a man and a woman. Berlioz's music for The Damnation of Faust brings Atlan-Ferrara and Inez together, and continues to resound on every page of this haunting work. At the same time, the emergent love of neh-el and ah-nel - the original lovers - reminds us of the Faustian pact of love and death. The link between these two stories is a beautiful crystal seal that belongs to Atlan-Ferrara, who is obsessed by its meaning. Maybe this ancient and seductive object gives its bearer the ability to read unknown languages and hear music of impossible beauty...