Vivaldo Bonfim was a bored book-keeper whose main escape from the tedium of his work was provided by novels. In the office, he tended to read rather than work, and, one day, became so immersed in a book that he got lost and disappeared completely. That, at least, is the version given to Vivaldo's son, Elias, by his grandmother. One day, Elias sets off, like a modern-day Telemachus, in search of the father he never knew. His journey takes him through the plots of many classic novels, replete with murders, all-consuming passions, wild beasts and other literary perils, and the resulting novel is, at once, a celebration of filial love, friendship and literature. AUTHOR: Afonso Cruz (1971) has so far written thirteen works of fiction, and his work has already brought him many prizes, with The Books that Devoured my Father winning the 2010 Premio Literario Maria Rosa Colaco. As well as working as a writer, illustrator and maker of animated films, he also sings and plays in the blues/roots band The Soaked Lamb.