Summary of Night Train to LisbonÂ
A Swiss classics teacher comes to the realisation that he is not living his life to its fullest potential and decides to leave his job. He travels to Lisbon to retrace the steps of a Portuguese doctor and philosopher who lived during the Salazar dictatorship. The novel recounts key moments in the doctor’s life, including his rescue of a notorious secret police executioner, his involvement in the resistance, and his relationship with the beautiful Estefânia. Above all, the protagonist seeks to come to terms with his own life and explore the paths of life he never took.
Reasons to read Night Train to Lisbon
“Night Train to Lisbon” is a philosophical novel brought to life through the protagonist’s encounters with the friends and family of the Portuguese doctor. Central to the novel lies the question of whether one is truly living the best possible life. The novel was an international best-seller, translated into 32 languages, and adapted into a film in 2013. Pascal Mercier was a Swiss writer and philosopher. “Night Train to Lisbon” was his most acclaimed work and won the Premio Cavour in 2007.
Setting: Lisbon (Portugal)
Original title: Nachtzug nach Lissabon
Year of publication: 2004
Nr of pages: 448
