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A review by booksnpunks
Not to Read by Alejandro Zambra
5.0
4.5 stars. Me and Zambra are actually best friends. This non-fiction book is a collection of his short reviews, essays and lectures on literature and most specifically on the Latin American literature that shaped him as a writer. I loved his chapter on Josefina Vicens, Cortazar, and his section about Ribyero’s homage to Borges actually almost made me want to cry. But I just devoured his musings and analysis on Roberto Bolaño especially delving deep into Bolaño’s poetry which I have only explored very little of.
“‘Imminence of a revelation that never comes,’ says Borges of art. That’s what emerges from 2666: the imminence of a revelation that never comes.”
I’m leaving this novel with a long, long reading list of things I need to check out. This little collection has really made me excited to discover more translations and I just feel like I picked this up at the exact moment I needed to. Megan McDowell’s really heartwarming introduction was just the cherry on the cake for me. I really urge anyone interested in literary criticism and Latin American writing outside of the ‘boom’ to read this as soon as they can.
“‘Imminence of a revelation that never comes,’ says Borges of art. That’s what emerges from 2666: the imminence of a revelation that never comes.”
I’m leaving this novel with a long, long reading list of things I need to check out. This little collection has really made me excited to discover more translations and I just feel like I picked this up at the exact moment I needed to. Megan McDowell’s really heartwarming introduction was just the cherry on the cake for me. I really urge anyone interested in literary criticism and Latin American writing outside of the ‘boom’ to read this as soon as they can.