3.5 stars is my true grading here. I went for 4 stars as 3.5 is not possible here and also because I think that the author is a master of words, so 3 stars would be too little for this novel.

Fair warning first - this is not a book for a common reader. The novel is full of symbols and metaphors and the author is speaking stories within stories here, and his storytelling is rich (sometimes too rich). He ventures into philosophy, Christianity, human soul (or other?), loss and suffering, murders and deep loves.
Definitely an intriguing book, but honestly not a book I would ever think of reading twice - but as it goes in these cases, one reading is enough. This is of books which leave their marks on your soul.

Three stories of heart-wrenching loss and desperate trying to find a meaning, a release from pain, a reason to go. Three stories of deep surprises. Three stories of finding peace (?).
1904, Tomás is on a hunt for an unusual religious item - which can destroy God's image. After all, God took his lady and his son, right?
1938/39 - Eusebio, a pathologist, meets two ladies in his office at night - first, his beloved wife, who presents a deep religious point. Second, a widow from mountains, presents a deep life and death issue.
1981, Peter, a widowed Canadian senator, meets an unusual friend and life companion - Odo, a chimpanzee. This encounter will prompt him to change his life totally.

So, how one goes without a beloved woman? Rebellion, denial, release from pain. And what will give you this rare meaning, this strength to go?
After all, this book is about finding a meaning of and in grief. This might be find in soul, in companionship, in Christ.
The love is dangerous and the loss and grief is the killer, which can make you empty. But, but there might be a way out from this killing - in silence, in simple time, in the other dangerous (read: touching your innermost center) loves.

I like the religious musings - not just because I am the believer myself, this would be too cheap in the face of such naked, raw prose - but exactly because this is raw, naked prose. I like everything I find presented as true emotion/finding/thought born in suffering and/or silence.

And a big thank you for the shout out for Agatha Christie! She is no prophet for me, no - but she is my first and foremost literary love. And I like to see her recognized by the talented writer.

I think that readers who loved Martel's The Life of Pi may also love this as it has many of the same ingredients: a journey, quirky characters, surreal plot events. However, while I liked it, and particularly enjoyed some sections (beautiful, lyrical prose on love and home) I found it very slow moving and hard to get into.

enjoyed this author's work I was surprised and disappointed.

Review of an advance copy from the publisher.