Libros en español

[Chirimoya]

re Isabel Allende: having loved her early books with such a passion I still read everything she churns out, but more or less since 'El plan infinito' her books have taken a turn towards trashy romance. In retrospect, I can see now that 'De amor y sombra', which I believe was her second book, despite its subject matter was in many ways in the same genre as a Mills and Boon romance!

I did enjoy her rendition of 'Zorro', though, albeit in a bodice-ripping, swashbuckling sort of way.

'Mi pais invisible' was interesting but much of the ground had already been covered in 'Paula'.

I know this is about books in Spanish, but I can't resist mentioning another Latin American writing in English, Ana Menéndez, a Cuban woman who wrote 'Loving Che' which I read, and liked; and 'In Cuba I was a German Shepherd' which I haven't read.

[Marianopolita]

All contributions are welcome here. No te preocupes.

Isn't that book by Isabel Allende called Mi País Inventado? Wow, it's disappointing to hear that Isabel Allende has changed so drastically. As I said I have yet to really get into her repertoire.

As well I forgot to mention that I like Puerto Rican literature too. Tordok mentioned Rosario Ferré and I would like to mention Olga Nolla. One book in particular El Manuscrito de Miramar was a good read IMO.

What do you all think about Esmeralda Santiago's literature? Her renowned novel was Cuando era Puertorriqueña?

LDG.

[Chirimoya]

Oops! Mi pais inventado, sorry.

I read Esmeralda Santiago's 'America's Dream' years ago, thought it was OK. I vaguely remember 'When I was Puerto Rican' too.
This reminds me that a couple of years ago I read a Puerto Rican book which charts the island's recent history and political factions through a family saga. Rosario Ferre, right?

[Marianopolita]

Esmeralda Santiago's literature I think is perfect for Sr. Highschool. Her novels are easy to read and she gets her point across well with some cultural aspects that are relative. I put her works on the same level as Julia Alvarez in terms of the literary style and her level of Spanish.

The Puerto Rican book you are talking about is possibly Rosas de Papel and that's by Olga Nolla. The storyline sounds familiar although I have not yet read the book. Again it's in line.

LDG.

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Oops! Mi pais inventado, sorry.

I read Esmeralda Santiago's 'America's Dream' years ago, thought it was OK. I vaguely remember 'When I was Puerto Rican' too.
This reminds me that a couple of years ago I read a Puerto Rican book which charts the island's recent history and political factions through a family saga. Rosario Ferre, right?

[hugoke01]

Lesley , it's clear that you don't like Borges but would like to recommend you to read at least "El Zahir"one day ..it's just amazing and you might like it .. I tried to read (years' ago ) some of his essays but gave it up .
.
Quienes buscan al escritor brillante de los interminables juegos mentales se entusiasmarán con "El Zahir"; "Los dos reyes y los dos laberintos" y "Los teólogos".
[/SIZE][QUOTE=Lesley D]Hugoke01,


Jorge Borges- is very deep and his books can't be read at leisure. His works always have profound messages and most of his them were written during a very key period in Latin American literary history. Not one of my favorites at all. I read some of his works only because his novels were part of my university syllabus.

[Quisqueya]

Chiri,

I read "La Reina del Sur" by A.P. Reverte..This spaniard really is a great writer. The book is all drama and hardcore action which IMO would be a good read for people that are into action & underworld lifestyle which usually isn't a good life..Ok, You guys should pick this book up I won't spoil the plot.

Leslie D,

Lately I've been reading some great french books thus I will refrain from posting them since this thread is about contemporary spanish literature.

BTW, I never heard of Jaime Bayly before..I wanted to thank you for bringing him to my attention..I will order his book ASAP..Thus, hopefully I will get to it by March 2006 since I have so many books on my reading list...

Chao.......

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

A lot of people have recommended La sombra del viento, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, set in Barcelona. Has anyone here read it?
Also, Mr Chiri recently read and enjoyed La Reina del Sur by Arturo Perez Reverte.

I strongly recommend Francisco Goldman, a Latin American writer who writes in English. I've recently read his latest, The Divine Husband, which is written around a fictitious episode in Jose Marti's life, based on his poem 'La nina de Guatemala'.

[Chirimoya]

La reina del sur came to my attention because some of it is set in and around Gibraltar. I haven't actually read it yet.

[Marianopolita]

Hugoke01,

I always give an author more than one chance. Even if I don't like some of their works I will try something else be it an essay, a short story etc. Borges is just not high on my list of authors and part of it is because some deep thought is required to extract his messages. This comment by the critics: 'los interminables juegos mentales' is the reason why I stay away from Borges. Sometimes simple reading is all I need. However, I will keep your recommendation in mind. Thanks.


Quisqueya,

I am glad to see that you are following this thread. I know that you read a lot so I do hope it has been helpful. Sure give Bayly a try. As Tordok and I discussed it's either you like him or not but the way how he handles the Spanish language in some of his books is impressive. I forgot to mention one book that may appeal to readers is Fue ayer y no me acuerdo as well as this new release.

To be honest with you I am behind with my French reading and it will come back to haunt me but for now I just keep pace with French by reading the newspapers and my day to day conversations but I need to get back to reading French.


LDG.

BTW- Lesley with an 'ey' and not 'ie'.

Originally Posted by hugoke01

Lesley , it's clear that you don't like Borges but would like to recommend you to read at least "El Zahir"one day ..it's just amazing and you might like it .. I tried to read (years' ago ) some of his essays but gave it up .
.
Quienes buscan al escritor brillante de los interminables juegos mentales se entusiasmarán con "El Zahir"; "Los dos reyes y los dos laberintos" y "Los teólogos".

[Tordok]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Oops! Mi pais inventado, sorry.
I read Esmeralda Santiago's 'America's Dream' years ago, thought it was OK. I vaguely remember 'When I was Puerto Rican' too.
This reminds me that a couple of years ago I read a Puerto Rican book which charts the island's recent history and political factions through a family saga. Rosario Ferre, right?

Chiri,
The book by Ferré that I mentioned (La Casa de la Laguna) is indeed a family saga. Author Ferré is the daughter of the late former governor of the island Luis A. Ferré -a pro statehood Republican and one of the wealthiest men on the island. The writer has in the past been a political pariah in the social circles of her family of oirigin for espousing a pro independece bent in island politics. The book makes interesting reading for she skillfully weaves into her story the political history and social dynamics of the post US invasion PR.
I have had Esmeralda Santiago's When I was Puerto Rican for years and have never gotten around reading it. Don't know why.

Quisqueya;
Re. La Reina del Sur,
You are right, most of the action takes place in southern Spain, Gibraltar, Ceuta or Melilla as well as Morocco....its a smugglers blues story, "Miami Vice" but southern Spain style rather than South Florida style.


Hugo & Lesley;
Other random thoughts about authors: for a linguistic adventure, anything by the late Julio Córtazar (Argentina) can be a lot of fun. Sort of a latin Kurt Vonnegut, only more disciplined if not also more talented.

JL Borges' literature is too complex. His brain...too big for my brain. Many Argentinian writers seem inclined to metaphysics and existentialism, Cortazar is not exempt from that but he was just a lot more avant-garde and funny.
I also thoroughly enjoyed a decidely non-fun book by another Argentine, Ernesto Sábato's El Túnel, long part of the Latin American canon.

- Tordok

[Marianopolita]

Okay I held back from saying that I think Jorge Borges is an existentialist because I had a professor who had a fit when I suggested that Borges' literature borders on those parameters. However, I see I am not alone in my asseverations. I think Borges is comparable to Albert Camus (French) when it comes to existentialism but somehow I find Camus' literature much easier to decipher 'sin juegos mentales'.

I read El Túnel two months ago. Excellent book! Ernesto Sábato impressed me especially since it was the first sampling I had of his work. I will read more of his novels in the future.

Thanks for those new suggestions and clarifying that PR book that Chiri asked about. Somehow I have not read much by any author from the Río Plate region. I have El Baile de la Victoria by Antonio Skármeta (chileno) which I will probably read in the next couple of months.



LDG.