Best-selling Life of Pi author, Yann Martel, discusses his latest novel, Beatrice and Virgil, on Thursday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.

Beatrice and Virgil is about asuccessful writer named Henry who becomes discouraged when his book about the Holocaust, a "flip book" made up of a novel and an essay that can be read in any order, is rejected by publishers.

Henry moves to a new city and gives up writing, but when he receives a package containing a scene from a play and a short note reading "I need your help" he finds himself drawn into the world of another Henry who is having trouble describing the characters in his play—a donkey and a Howler monkey named Beatrice and Virgil, respectively.

The event is co-sponsored by Rainy Day Books. Copies of Beatrice and Virgil will be available for sale, and Martel will sign copies purchased after his presentation.