The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps, by Michel Faber

[GabrielleRay]

Another flag wave:
The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps, by Michel Faber, published by Canongate Books.

About 26,000-words in length, short and to the point. A paper conservator working on an archaeological dig on the English east coast makes the (romantic) acquaintance of a medical student and his dog. The medical student has a jar, inside of which is an 18th century confession by an apparent murderer. The conservator - an amputee haunted by a terrifying nightmare featuring her own murder - works on it, page by page, revealing over the course of the book the blow-by-blow contents of the confession, and much discussion ensues (there is a twist on the final page of the confession, but I won't reveal it here).

Well-written, well observed - Faber creates a good atmosphere and a light portrait of a traumatised young woman, and explores philosophy and even a touch of religion without the use of a shovel. It is the ideal short book: light without being feathery; full of interesting things, but not overloaded.

It even has a few pictures.

Definitely worth picking up if you find a copy.