"Beatrice and Virgil" is a novel by Yann Martel, the author of "Life of Pi." The story follows Henry, a writer who is struggling to create a meaningful work about the Holocaust. He encounters a taxidermist named Gustav, who presents a play featuring a donkey named Beatrice and a monkey named Virgil. Through their dialogue, the characters explore themes of suffering, memory, and the nature of evil. The narrative intertwines fiction and reality, prompting readers to reflect on the complexities of human experience. As Henry delves deeper into Gustav's world, he confronts his own understanding of tragedy and the importance of storytelling in processing historical trauma.