This novel has the atmosphere of a hypnotic dream and several quite realistic storylines, the main theme of which is fatherhood.
Skinny Felicito Yanake from Piura, with an unloved wife and mistress, a small transport company and the motto “Never let yourself be trampled on, son!” became a victim of blackmailers. Old 82-year-old Ismael Carrera, a millionaire from Lima, was offended by the irreverence of his sons and decided to secretly disinherit them, marry a servant and start living anew. You sympathize with both heroes: they are decent people, famous for their honest work and did not walk in liars. But when they finally defeat their enemies, or rather, their dissolute, worthless, unloved and adult children, then some characters, and some readers like me, become scared: these machos suddenly turn out to be so cruel and vindictive. And somehow it is impossible to share the joy of victory with them.
Pass the tests
- What role do you play in the family?
But only now you understand that the main characters of the book are not them at all, but a modest insurer and art admirer Rigoberto (another line), who can’t wait until retirement to listen to classical music CDs and look at a collection of his favorite engravings. And for whom the sudden problems of a schoolboy son immediately change all plans. They have a warm relationship – with jokes, word games and arguments about everything in the world. Watching them against the backdrop of the monstrous relationships of other characters, where communication is built on hatred, submission and deep childish grievances, I see which side the author is on. He is clearly not close to those for whom devotion to work, steel character and loyalty to their ideas replace deep contact with loved ones and the ability to compassion. However, life necessarily gives everyone exactly what he asks for; and to those who ask nothing, she gives a hundredfold. And one more thing: there is no external devil; but it may well be within you. In fact, so does God. Elena Pestereva
Translation from Spanish by Kirill Korkonosenko.
Alphabet, 384 p., 506 rubles.
Mario Vargas Llosa is a classic of Latin American literature, winner of many awards, including the Nobel Prize (2010). He devoted several years to politics in the hope of bringing Peru to democracy, but in 1990, after losing the election to the future dictator Alberto Fujimori, he emigrated to England.