Insomnia

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Translated by Jayde Will.

Originally written in 1967 and not released in its uncensored form until 2003, Bels’

infamous novel, Insomnia (translated from the Latvian, Bezmiegs) has become a

classic of Cold War writing and continues to exert a major influence over Latvian

literature.

The story is filtered through the thoughts, emotions and fantasies of the main character, a man of detachment who is content to observe his fellow tenants and the wider world around him from the tired luxury of his apartment and daily routines.

When a young woman, fleeing some unknown threat and in desperate need of help, comes into his orbit, he’s forced out of this inertia and into the active role of protector. There begins a quest which, for both of them, has the power to jolt them into a new way of being and living.

This edition contains the official transcripts of the investigative reports regarding

the banning of the book, as well as a statement by Bels himself.

Translated from the Latvian by Jayde Will.

"Alberts Bels’ accessible and compelling novella Insomnia depicts Soviet-era Latvia through the eyes of Mr Eduards Dārziņš." - New Welsh Review

Insomnia is part of the Parthian Baltic project which was launched on time for the London Book Fair 2018. The poetry collections were launched at the Wheatsheaf Parthian Poetry Festival in April 2018.

Alberts Bels is a Latvian author, writer of psychological novels and stories, prominent intellectual figure and honorary member of the Academy of Sciences. His first novel was published in 1967 and several of his books have been turned into films.