A decade-by-decade portrait of 20th century Australia through the prism of one family. Abacus is a portrait of the "end times," of generational violence and the instinct for survival. Louis Armand is a Sydney-born writer who has lived in Prague since 1994. He is the author of six novels, including Breakfast at Midnight (2012), described by 3AM magazine's Richard Marshall as "a perfect modern noir," and Cairo, shortlisted for the Guardian newspaper's 2014 Not-the-Booker Prize (both from Equus, London). His most recent collections of poetry are Indirect Objects (Vagabond, 2014) and Synopticon (with John Kinsella; LPB, 2012). His work has been included in the Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry and Best Australian Poems. His screenplay, Clair Obscur, received honourable mention at the 2009 Alpe Adria Trieste International Film Festival. He directs the Centre for Critical and Cultural Theory in the Philosophy Faculty of Charles University where he also edits the international arts magazine VLAK. Critics on Breakfast at Midnight: "A twisted, brilliantly savage acid noir." - Benjamin Woodard, Numero Cinq "Armand has done for Prague what Genet achieves in Our Lady of the Flowers." - Jim Ruland, San Diego City Beat Critics on Canicule: "Baudelaire's mellow 'living proof of our immortality' done in the high pulp style." - Richard Marshall, 3: AM Magazine "Armand uses language to paint a picture just as vividly as if we were watching it unfold on screen." - Kristen Valentine, Black Heart Review Critics on Cairo: "A genre defying anti-novel... Like communism it is the movement of vast majorities unfettered by a state!" - Stewart Home, author of Blood Rites of the Bourgeoisie "Unflinching in its portrayal of human greed." - Sam Jordison, The Guardian"
