An automaton, a man and a woman who can never meet, a secret love story, and the fate of the world are all brought to life in this hauntingly moving novel from one of the finest writers of our time. Catherine Gehrig, conservator at a London museum, learns of the unexpected death of her colleague and lover of thirteen years. Only the museum"s director knew of the affair, and sends Catherine to work on a special project away from prying eyes. This recording is unabridged. Typically abridged audiobooks are not more than 60% of the author"s work and as low as 30% with characters and plotlines removed.