What is a secret? What is your function? How is it protected? How do you betray yourself? Does the secret give power? Is the secret deception, manipulation, lies? Is literature possible without secrets?

Claudio Magris investigates the secret as a weapon of power, an instrument of religion, an element of the intimate sphere and also – through the work of Norman Manea, Javier Marías and Isaac B. Singer – as a key mechanism of literature.

Spies, the mysteries of Eleusis, the secret of confession, and some political crimes appear in these pages.

«One of the greatest writers of our time» (Mario Vargas Llosa).

«In these barbaric times in history, the work and presence of Claudio Magris are indispensable» (George Steiner).