A Book Review: Yann Martel’s The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios

Ever since I read the “Life of Pi”, I’ve fallen in love with Yann Martel’s prose.  I love the humor he brings to even the direst situations.  I love how I find myself laugh and cry over the same lines.  Thus, when I saw The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios hidden behind tons of other books at Booksale, I knew I just had to buy it.  It was wonderful to revisit the literary brilliance  of a man whose simple language evoke a power of emotions.  Devoid of form whatsoever and using only his gift for storytelling, I am swept into the tale of the lasting wonder of friendship.   As if to stall death, Paul and his friend tell the story of The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, one year at a time.  As with “The Facts”, the other short stories are poignant tales of love and loss.