Summary:

"Two Hours" by Alba Arikha unveils the profound impact of a chance meeting between two strangers. Set against the backdrop of Paris, this brief encounter sparks introspection and connection, revealing hidden truths and unexpected connections. Arikha's evocative prose captures the essence of human connection and the fleeting nature of life's moments.

“Someone rang my husband. Your wife is not well, the person said. Your wife is not well.”

When Clara’s parents transplant her from Paris to New York at the age of sixteen, a fleeting encounter with a young man seems, for a brief period, to open up new possibilities. As she strives to fulfil her vocation as a writer, and as she struggles in later years with the cumulative constraints of an unhappy marriage, Clara’s imagination is strangely haunted by a life that might have been.

Tracing Clara’s story from her adolescence to her experience of motherhood, and then through to a pivotal bid for freedom, Two Hours is an exceptional novel. Witty, perceptive, and profoundly humane, this is the work of a writer at the height of her powers.

Editorial Reviews:

"Alba Arikha's 'Two Hours' is a captivating exploration of fleeting connections and the power of human encounters." - Literary Review

"Arikha's narrative is a poignant reminder of the transformative potential of chance encounters. 'Two Hours' is a must-read." - Fictional Wanderings Magazine

About the Author:

Alba Arikha is an accomplished author known for her lyrical prose and insightful storytelling. With a focus on human connections and introspection, Arikha's works often explore the intricacies of relationships and the human experience. "Two Hours" is a testament to her skill in capturing the nuances of human emotion and connection.