51 pages 1 hour read

Colum McCann

Apeirogon

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Part 1, Sections 389-499Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Sections 389-499 Summary

Rami surveys the town’s graffiti; there are markings about the war and occupation, and there are random tributes. On one of the walls, he thinks he sees Abir’s face painted there, but it is just another young girl.

Bassam visits Belfast to give his usual speech on peace between Israel and Palestine. His presentation is met by a standing ovation. Afterward, he talks and interacts with the Irish people. He feels listened to and heard. “It might even be easier,” he thinks, “to be a Palestinian abroad than at home” (177). The thought vexed him.

While building a palatial home atop Mount Gerezim for Palestine’s richest inhabitant, Munib al-Masri, builders discover wood beams, porcelain, and stone in the ground. Al-Masri halts building to do a complete excavation, in which they discover a monastery from 1600 years ago. He replicates the monastery and rebuilds the house 20 feet above it so the site can be opened to the public. People visit the home, which contains lavish works of art by famous painters and sculptors. With all his wealth and his polished appearance many people are surprised that he is Palestinian, much to al-Masri’s chagrin.

Some families of suicide bombers were given new houses by the Iranian government after their family members carried out the act.