The Ministry of Special Cases

Nathan Englander’s novel “The Ministry of Special Cases” recounts the tragic events in Argentina during the military dictatorship (1976–1983), when thousands of people vanished without a trace. At the heart of the story is the Poznan family, whose son Pato becomes one of the “disappeared.” Overcome by grief and despair, his parents attempt to find him by turning to the enigmatic Ministry of Special Cases. The book explores themes of loss, memory, and the search for justice against the backdrop of political repression.