Reflecting on my experience in RMST 202 this semester, I am genuinely surprised by how much I liked it! From the engaging class discussions to immersing myself within a diverse array of challenging novels and interacting with classmates through their insightful blog posts, this course surpassed my initial expectations. From the very beginning, this course […]
“I know I need to generate a structure full of holes so that I can always find a place for myself on the page, inhabit it; I have to remember never to put in more than is necessary, never overlay, never furnish or adorn.” (Luiselli, 10) Describing a book that profoundly impacts you can feel […]
“Félix Ventura. Guarantee your children a better past.” (Agualusa, 16) In José Eduardo Agualusa’s “The Book of Chameleons,” reality is not a fixed entity but a malleable construct, subject to manipulation and reinterpretation. At the heart of this captivating narrative lies Félix Ventura, a peculiar character who deals in an extraordinary commodity: he crafts pasts […]
In the realm of crime fiction, Ricardo Piglia’s “Money to Burn” stands out as a gripping narrative that transcends the boundaries of the genre. The novel reconstructs the infamous heist that took place over the span of September to November 1965, where an armed gang intercepted a van transporting a staggering sum of over $7,000,000 […]
Marguerite Duras’ novel, “The Lover,” unfolds against the backdrop of pre-war colonial Southeast Asia, a landscape that mirrors the author’s own upbringing in French Indochina, now Vietnam. Duras draws heavily from her experiences in crafting a narrative that blurs the lines between autobiography and fiction. She challenges societal assumptions and norms, delving into the complexities […]
“Whatever it may be, this is a novel where, once you have got into it, you want to go forward, without stopping” (Calvino, 76) You are about to begin reading my blog post on Italo Calvino’s novel, “If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler.” Relax. Concentrate. The post-modernist narrative, published in 1979, is a captivating […]
Viewing the world through the lens of the novel’s central character, Natalia, Mercè Rodoreda intricately delves into themes of poverty, despair, and the fragile intricacies of human existence. Rodoreda crafts a profoundly moving narrative, with readers confronting the challenging truths encountered by those navigating displacement, scarcity, and the erosion of self. Rodoreda skillfully employs imagery […]
“Deep Rivers” by José María Arguedas delves into the intricate dynamics of culture, identity, and the internal conflicts faced by its central character, Ernesto. Unfolding within a societal backdrop marked by ethnic divisions, the novel portrays Ernesto navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence, contending with two worlds that refuse to coexist harmoniously, even within his […]
In Alberto Moravia’s “Agostino,” the sun-drenched beaches of a seaside town in Italy set the stage for a captivating exploration of a mother and son’s relationship. Against the backdrop of a summer spent in their pattino and swimming in the sea, Moravia delves into the psyche of a young thirteen-year-old boy named Agostino as he grapples with […]
María Luisa Bombal’s novel, “The Shrouded Woman,” explores deep-seated themes surrounding desire, fulfillment, and the inescapable reality of death. The novel intricately intertwines the life of its protagonist, Ana María, with layers of unresolved yearning and profound existential contemplation. Throughout “The Shrouded Woman,” Bombal navigates the complexities of human emotions, with a particular focus on […]
