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What I've been reading
I've discarded lots of unfinished books on this trip, but two have stood out for their excellence:
1. The Past, by Alan Pauls. I don't usually like drug-fueled tales of unhealthy sexual obsession, but I'll make an exception for this one. This Argentine novel has received rave reviews across Europe, but still does not seem to have a U.S. publisher; the Amazon link is to a UK edition. It's uneven, but it has a higher number of memorable scenes than almost any other contemporary novel.
2. The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll, by Alvaro Mutis. Imagine a Colombian version of 1001 Nights and Don Quixote, in novella form. This is 700 pp. of sheer delight, and it also indicates we are just starting to figure out which Latin American works of fiction will prove of lasting importance. This is one of them, and another superb translation from Edith Grossman.
If I read two works of fiction this good in 2008, I will be grateful.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on January 4, 2008 at 01:01 PM in Books | Permalink
Comments
An interview with Mutis {updated link}:
http://www.bombsite.com/issues/74/articles/2374
Posted by: Pitt at Jan 4, 2008 1:59:30 PM
I don't usually like drug-fueled tales of unhealthy sexual obsession
Are you widely read in this genre? :-)
Posted by: Bernard Yomtov at Jan 4, 2008 3:05:01 PM
I suggest "I Love You Putamente" (in Spanish) de
Estevan Carlos Mejia, also Colombian.
A sidesplitting romp about a publicist with
literary pretensions who gets mixed up in a
murder for hire scheme.
Posted by: Thomas at Jan 4, 2008 4:11:19 PM
Just to say I am proud of Colombian Authors. Alvaro Mutis is an excellent author. Let me recommend you respectfully to read "La Mansión de Araucaima" I am sure there is an English version. Happy new year.
Posted by: fershow at Jan 4, 2008 4:44:42 PM
Glad to see you liked Maqroll!
Posted by: RPM at Jan 4, 2008 9:52:59 PM
Try "Dom Casmurro", from brazilian writer Machado de Assis (the greatest portuguese language writer imo). He's from the 19th century and his book about Imperial Brazil is just fascinating. The language he employs and the way he tells the story makes u never want to close the book, and teaches a lot about the brazilian day-by-day and culture back there.
Besides, it's pretty short, around 100 pages, the way you like it. =P
Posted by: Rodrigo at Jan 6, 2008 12:03:22 AM
Here's the english Wikipedia page on Mutis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvaro_Mutis
This is such a great book, more people should read it! Happy to see the mention!
Posted by: Tim at Jan 7, 2008 4:49:53 PM
Have you read Juan Rulfo's "Pedro Páramo"? It is excellent!
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