The Blind Viper

A resonant new novel from the Guernica Prize-winning author of This Cleaving and This Burning

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A symphony of memory, art, and human resilience, The Blind Viper traces the intersections between war, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of survival. Set against the mythic landscapes of a secluded Greek island and the shadows of the Spanish Civil War, this novel invites readers into the life of Leo Dalca, a blind painter whose remarkable artistry transcends the boundaries of sight.

Leo’s story unfolds in layers, from his turbulent relationship with the past—a friendship forged and forever altered on a battlefield—to his present, where his art captures the essence of both personal and collective loss. Wainwright’s luminous prose draws readers into the tactile world of a man who has turned his blindness into a lens for extraordinary creation. When a young poet arrives on the island, a confrontation of ideals and memories leads to revelations about love, sacrifice, and the cost of artistic integrity.

The Blind Viper is both a testament to the enduring power of art, the complex foundation of artistic temperament and a meditation on the scars left by history. With echoes of Michael Ondaatje and Kazuo Ishiguro, J.A. Wainwright solidifies his place among Canada’s foremost literary voices.

J.A. WAINWRIGHT, McCulloch Emeritus Professor in English, has lived in Nova Scotia for over 50 years after growing up in Toronto. A specialist in Canadian and contemporary literature, he is a prolific author and has published 16 books, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, a play, and an opera libretto. He now divides his time between Nova Scotia and Toronto.

Fiction

Pub Date: May 2025 

$24.95 CDN | $ 21.95 USD

6 x 9 inches; 232 pages