This is the title of the longest novel by Alejandro Zambra, a prominent writer from the land of the lone star, who visited Quito in December. Consuming its more than 400 pages gives the impression of a parallel life, when something is known about the poetic environment of a community, which, due to the peculiarity of literary expression and reduced consumption, has common features, at least in Latin America.

“Being a Chilean poet is like being a Peruvian chef or a Brazilian soccer player or a Venezuelan model,” says one character, and it reminded me that I once heard that Ecuador is more a country of poets than storytellers. The novel I am commenting on is applied in telling the story of a young man who reads poetry on the bus, studies literature and sketches verses in secret, while living an intense romance that leads him to meet a boy whom he teaches to identify as his stepson. There are beautiful passages in which understanding and treating a child is better than understanding with a mother.

Literature abounded in mother-daughter relationships. For now, there is a certain dedication to fatherhood that reveals a different face, the face of true closeness and correct language in relation to children. For this reason, the main character is a stepfather, who combines the ability to play, tell jokes and has an exceptional understanding of how much a pet can mean to a child. Breaking up with the mother represented, first of all, the abandonment of the child and the introduction of a trace of sadness into his life.

Poetry is always there, sometimes behind, sometimes in the front line…

Poetry is always there, sometimes in the background, sometimes in the first line, when reading – the references are so many that the reader could buy all the titles that are mentioned and make a good lyrical library – and when the two of them write, they are people who were connected: the first even published a collection of poems which – like many others – was barely read; the second, already 18 years old and looking for his voice. In order for the outside view to be noticed, an American journalist arrives in Santiago to investigate Chilean poetry in recent years, so all positions are visible: from the funny ones who present themselves as poets to the militant ones. What is called success? One of the conclusions of gringa is that poets are “like national heroes, legendary figures”. For that we are talking about Huidobro, Neruda, Mistral, Rokha and the latest, Zurita, Rojas, Millán; the novel includes up to a chapter with Nicanor Parra. Success is transcendence.

Zambra’s novel skilfully explores everyday life. It shows people on the streets, cafeterias, bookstores, a university hall, a student dormitory. The narrator’s voice is always calm, harmonious with a deep and attentive mood that does not deprive us of a certain humor or intimacy that exposes the psyche: many times one thing is said, although another is meant; it’s about suppressing the word, but it slips gracefully into the conversation. The narrator reveals it to us so that we can be convinced of human fragility and contradictions. Sexuality is a free practice, but feelings always have consequences. And if the reader is looking for the love story that seemingly dominated the first part, they will find a few surprises at the end. Yes, you must read Zambra, he is a master. (OR)