The Lazarus Project -- Aleksandar Hemon

This is an interesting novel in that it follows two separate narratives that are at different points in time and run parallel to each other, never intersecting. Reading between pages 87-121, we read about Olga upset over the death of her brother Lazarus. Throughout this "chapter" she attempts to write a letter to her mother explaining that Lazarus is dead, but can't seem to find the right words to say. There is a huge storm outside, and Olga finds the dictionary Lazarus would read in the outhouse. While out there she finds her other brother Isador in the sewage under the outhouse. She is angry at her brother, saying his is the reason Lazarus is now dead. She eventually helps her brother out, and Isador spends the night in the outhouse. The next part of the novel goes to the more present time story. Brik and Rora find a taxi driver to drive them across the country. Along the way, Brik strikes up a conversation with Andriy about America and how wonderful it is. Andriy seems interested in this American life, but asks about the problems: "If you have family and house, you want to protect them. But this world is crazy. Homosexuals, crazy Muslim terrorists, problems." Brik avoids this questions and begins talking to Rora.

"She turns to the side, slips her right hand under the pillow, hears straw crepitating in it." --Page 95

crepitate -- verb (used without object), -tat·ed, -tat·ing.

to make a crackling sound; crackle.