Plot summary, “The Lazarus Project” by Aleksandar Hemon in 5 Minutes - Book Review

The Lazarus Project (2008) by Aleksandar Hemon is a novel that intertwines historical and contemporary narratives. It follows Vladimir Brik, a Bosnian-American journalist, as he investigates the mysterious 1908 murder of Lazarus Averbuch, a Jewish immigrant and suspected anarchist. The novel alternates between the investigation in 2004 and Lazarus's story in 1908. Lazarus's death, shrouded in mystery and political intrigue, leads Vladimir on a journey to Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia to uncover the truth behind Lazarus's life and death. Along the way, Vladimir uncovers connections to anarchism, immigration, and personal loss, all while confronting his own past. The novel explores themes of identity, history, and the immigrant experience.