Gregory Rideout

Soren's Art Gregory Rideout

SOREN ADAMS finds a box in the bowels of the Basilica de Notre Dame in Montreal. The box contains cryptic instructions to Soren and reluctant millionaire JAMES ARONSON, setting the two of them on a redemptive journey to unwrap the mysteries of the box. They go to London, where Soren finds not only figurative but literal meaning in an abstract painting by ZHOU CHERGI. At a retrospective of Chergi's work at the Tate Modern, Soren speaks about the hidden meaning of Chergi's masterpiece, "Unknown Reason No. 2." The world's fate hangs on deciphering the message in Chergi's painting. Soren convinces the artist and the museum's director, HUMBOLDT TODD MARTINSON III, known as "HUMBY," to join in figuring out the message. A priest who had been working to free the box that Soren easily took, PIERRE MOLIERE, understands he's expendable and joins with Soren. JULIA JOHNSON, a New York prostitute and heroin addict, sees Soren - a former customer of hers - and hears him speak of the box. Julia knows of such a box that was hidden long ago by her an ancestor. She goes to Paris and finds Soren. He and Humby have recruited the world's long-lost "next Einstein," VIKRAM CHANDRY, who had been living as reclusive billionaire Sebastian Malaby. Vikram helps Soren analyze both the woodcuts and Chergi's painting. Together they find out what the NARRATOR, a non-entity that exists outside of space and time, has been hinting at throughout the story - the world faces annihilation from a natural disaster. As Soren and his friends attempt to figure out a way for humanity to survive, the governments of England, France and the United States assist the Vatican in looking for Soren to stop him. Soren and Vikram unravel the message. Throughout the novel, readers witness the transformation and redemption of Çhergi, James, Julia, Moliere, Humby, Vikram and Soren.