Daniel Sada (1953–2011)

Enchanting and deceptively light-footed with a core of bleakness that is kept at bay due to the brevity of the book. This novella is more of a fable with an unusual rhythmic prose style that requires close attention: commas and colons are used in particular ways. Sada refers to destiny as a "trickster demon", but so is his narrative. Credit to the translator, Katherine Silver. A bittersweet and unforgettable story about what it takes to live a life wedded to someone else; in this case, not a spouse, but a sister.
Full review here.… (meer)

I found "Almost Never" on a 2012 Best Books list, but I give it only two stars. Reader advice - I strongly suggest that anyone consider reading this first check out a random chapter before investing time and money. There is relatively little dialog and most of the descriptions and story telling is through lengthy paragraphs that take some time to make the point, often with tangents, random thoughts....Makes for a story that moves at snail pace. Demetrio is a young, hard working man who strikes up a relationship with prostitute Mireya early in the book. Lots of passion, obsession, energy. The last 3/4 of the book deals with D's puruit of Renata, a refined and very "old-fashioned" young lady even for the present times (1946-49 Mexico). Eventually D & R become engaged but D is allowed to only kiss her on the cheek until they are married (why didn't I stop reading here!?) Perhaps some will be enchanted. I was bored.… (meer)