Bonsái
Alejandro Zambra
Bonsái is the first novel of the Chilean author Alejandro Zambra. Due to its laconic language and his almost interrupted descriptions, we can not only consider it a short novel, but also a synthesis novel, or maybe a bonsai novel; an intimate short version of a bigger tree. The plot is barely relevant, described almost completely in its first paragraph. A love story of a young couple, Julio and Emilia. A storyline broken by separation and death. These two learned to love and know each other by reading books together. But the plot is only an excuse. The only thing that matters is what remains suspended in-between, "literature:" Zambra utilizes a dubious language, hesitant and playful. Sometimes it even goes as far as to contradict itself, trying conspicuously to create its own style. In these contradictions, the author not only creates an emphasis but a disconcert, a zigzag in the game of convincing the reader. There are occasions when he guides us to what seems to matter to the narrator, “El fin de esta historia deberia ilusionarnos pero no nos ilusiona”, (pg.83) to the reiteration, “Quiero terminar la historia de Julio, pero la historia de Julio no termina.” |
With a fresh style, and the conscience rule that less is more, Zambra prunes a unique book. Like many short story writers, he does not construct literary buildings but rather seems to prune a bonsai tree; a small work of art that does not need elaboration for quality or height for greatness. A bonsai, in the end, is beautiful not because it resembles a tree, but because within its unique simplification, a tree is posible.
Alejandro Zambra (Santiago de Chile, 1975) was awarded the Chilean Critics Award for best novel of the year in 2006 for Bonsái. He has written essay, short stories, poetry and novels.
You can purchase Bonsái through Editorial Anagrama. Click here to purchase.
Alejandro Zambra (Santiago de Chile, 1975) was awarded the Chilean Critics Award for best novel of the year in 2006 for Bonsái. He has written essay, short stories, poetry and novels.
You can purchase Bonsái through Editorial Anagrama. Click here to purchase.
Reviewed by
Jorge Sáenz 7/24/2016 Comment Box is loading comments...
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