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A Bolaño classic. The Peruvian poet César Vallejo is in the hospital, afflicted with an undiagnosed illness and unable to stop hiccuping. His wife calls on an acquaintance of her friend Madame Reynaud: the mesmerist Pierre Pain. Pain, a timid bachelor, is in love with the widow Reynaud and agrees to help. But two mysterious Spanish men follow him and bribe him not to treat Vallejo. Ravaged by guilt and anxiety, Pain does not intend to abandon his new patient, but his access to the hospital is barred and Madame Reynaud mysteriously leaves Paris. Another practitioner of the occult sciences enters the story (working for Generalissimo Franco, using his mesmeric expertise to interrogate prisoners) -- as do Mme. Curie, tarot cards, an assassination, and nightmares. Meanwhile, a haunted Monsieur Pain wanders the crepuscular, rainy streets of Paris. . . .… (meer)
This is a postmodern/surrealist sort of story in which a poet, Monsieur Pain, who is also a mesmerist, is paid off by mysterious strangers to not treat a man he had not yet known he would be asked to treat, and who he had not expected to treat at the time of the bribe. He feels awful about accepting the money, and around this same time he hears voices every so often as if coming through from another dimension or something. He tries to get to his would-be patient anyway, tries to return the money, and ends up walking around Paris either avoiding or following the people who paid him off. I'm sure I missed some symbolism along the way, along with cultural and historical references that were probably more obvious to readers when this book was published. Still, it was a fun-enough read, and short. The ending seemed a bit rushed, and the biographical summary bits at the end seemed like a cheap way of skipping the work of actually finishing off the story properly, but then again maybe that was a style popular for novellas when Bolano was writing this one. ( )
Of all the Bolaño that I have read, this one felt the least important. The most ‘minor’ of the Bolaño I have read. Nevertheless, and this is a testimony to Bolaño’s prowess, it is doubtlessly worth reading, full of deft poetry and intrigue. The laying of the scenes, the patient yet ominous clarity of the narration, the sudden happening of poetic insight—it is a satisfying read. ( )
An odd little book. Nothing really happens. Or does it? A man is followed, maybe there is a plot against another man, maybe the guy just lives in his own head. Not sure. There is a bit of a sad romance and also an intriguing epilogue. ( )
Beautiful writing, but the story dragged with dialogue. Won't give up on Bolano, though. Perhaps it could deserve more than two stars but I just couldn't get into it. ( )
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
P. Does the idea of death afflict you? V. (Very quickly.) No-no! P. Are you pleased with the prospect? V. If I were awake I should like to die, but now it is no matter. The mesmeric condition is so near death as to content me. P. I wish you would explain yourself, Mr Vankirk. V. I am willing to do so, but it requires more effort than I feel able to make. You do not question me properly. P. What then should I ask? V. You must begin at the beginning. P. The beginning! But where is the beginning?
"Mesmeric Revelation" Edgar Allan Poe
Opdracht
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
for Carolina López
Eerste woorden
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
On Wednesday the sixth of April, at dusk, as I was preparing to leave my lodgings, I received a telegram from my young friend Madame Reynaud, requesting, with a certain urgency, my presence that evening at the Café Bordeaux, on the Rue de Rivoli, relatively close to where I live, which meant that if I hurried, I could still arrive punctually at the specified time.
Citaten
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
I slept well and soundly, and if I dreamed, I also had the good sense to forget my dreams.
Laatste woorden
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
He died in my arms, in the manager's office at the Cabaret Madame Doré.
A Bolaño classic. The Peruvian poet César Vallejo is in the hospital, afflicted with an undiagnosed illness and unable to stop hiccuping. His wife calls on an acquaintance of her friend Madame Reynaud: the mesmerist Pierre Pain. Pain, a timid bachelor, is in love with the widow Reynaud and agrees to help. But two mysterious Spanish men follow him and bribe him not to treat Vallejo. Ravaged by guilt and anxiety, Pain does not intend to abandon his new patient, but his access to the hospital is barred and Madame Reynaud mysteriously leaves Paris. Another practitioner of the occult sciences enters the story (working for Generalissimo Franco, using his mesmeric expertise to interrogate prisoners) -- as do Mme. Curie, tarot cards, an assassination, and nightmares. Meanwhile, a haunted Monsieur Pain wanders the crepuscular, rainy streets of Paris. . . .
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