The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon

March 6, 2025 Nathaniel Adebayo Book Nooktoria, Historical Fiction 0

Title: The Lazarus Project
Author: Aleksandar Hemon
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Year of Publication: 2008
Date of Publication: May 1, 2008
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 1594489882
ISBN-13: 978-1594489884

Our Rating of This Book

Summary of The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon

The Lazarus Project focuses on two narratives: the story of Lazarus Averbuch, a Jewish immigrant shot by the Chicago chief of police in 1908, and that of Vladimir Brik, a modern-day Bosnian-American writer retracing Lazarus’s journey.

As Brik investigates the historical events surrounding Lazarus’s death, he travels through Eastern Europe with his friend Rora, uncovering stories of displacement, identity, and survival.

Main Themes

The themes looked at in the novel include identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience. It highlights the difficulty of cultural assimilation and the impact of violence. Hemon examines how the past informs and shapes the present.

Writing Style

Aleksandar Hemon tells the story using alternating timelines.

Impact

The novel was a finalist for the National Book Award and received widespread acclaim for its innovative structure.

The Lazarus Project is entirely unrelated to the TV series of the same name, which features an entirely different concept and creative team.

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About Nathaniel Adebayo 221 Articles

Nathaniel is a Media Content Specialist at Verayea, where he specializes in curating content and gathering data for the company’s extensive book library. He is also dedicated to writing insightful reviews, offering thoughtful perspectives on a range of media. His work ensures that Verayea’s library is comprehensive, well-organized, and informative, providing valuable resources for its audience.