What to do with 30,000 gouged-out eyes? Writer David Toscana takes on the story of Basil II’s punishment of the Bulgarians

AI Briefing

• – The story is a fictionalized account of the punishment meted out to the Bulgarians by Basil II in the 11th century.
• – Toscana's use of dark humor and fantasy elements subverts traditional historical narratives.
• – The book has won a prestigious literary award for its unique blend of genres and style.