In the spring of 1970, in the city of Pretoria, a boy named Joe discovers Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer formerly known as Cassius Clay. In a country marked by distance, violence, and silence, the champion represents more than just a boxer: he is a magnetic force, a challenge to the established order, a promise of greatness. Joe begins obsessively clipping every news article, every photograph, every fragment of Ali’s life, building an archive that grows with him. Decades later, that archive becomes the starting point for a book and an exploration of the past. This novel is a profound meditation on memory, identity, and the way we construct meaning from scattered fragments. With precise and moving prose, Ivan Vladislavic offers a story about heroes and brothers, about the passage of time, and about distance — the distance that separates people, and the distance that, at times, unites them forever. “A memorable, beautifully written story about love and loss.” Kirkus “Full of grace and tenderness, The Distance is a tale of loss and learning, as well as a beautiful evocation of brotherhood in times of discord.” New Welsh Review “An elaborate and reflective novel. Vladislavic proves once again to be an exceptional writer.” The Complete Review “Ivan Vladislavic occupies a unique place in the literary landscape: a versatile and innovative stylist whose work is firmly rooted in contemporary urban life.” J. M. Coetzee ‘Mysterious, lyrical, and mischievously funny. Everyone should read it.’ Katie Kitamura, BOMB Magazine
