Libros en espa?ol

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Marianopolita

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I am a fan of contemporary Spanish literature and I always have a craving to read a good novel by a renowned author. I was just browsing through a section called encuentros digitales in elmundo.es and they provide updates about upcoming new releases. One of my favorite contemporary authors Jaime Bayly has a new release scheduled for November 8, 2005 called Y de repente, un ángel. Jaime Bayly is Peruvian, an author whose novels are considered controversial (because of the themes) but very well written in terms of how he uses the Spanish language IMO. I definitely will be reading this book very soon but in the meantime I was wondering if any of you have read some good Spanish novels of late or any type of Spanish literature. If so tell us about the author, the book and what you liked or disliked about the book or the author's style.

Here are some of my favorite authors:

Jaime Bayly
Pedro Juan Gutiérrez
Daína Chaviano
Some of Paulo Coelho's literature (translated literature)
Rosa Montero
Reinaldo Arenas
Carlos Alberto Montaner


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LDG.
 
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juancarlos

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I can only say that I saw No se lo digas a nadie, a Peruvian movie based on the novel written by Jaime Bayly. Of course, I also saw Before Night Falls, based on the book written by Arenas. However, I have never actually read their books, I guess I am lazy. I spend too much time reading newspapers online, among them El Mundo, El Pais and El Herald. I do know Bayly usually writes in the Opinion section of El Miami Herald. I have read Carlos Alberto Monaner's first books, one of his earlier was Reporte Secreto de la Revolucion Cubana or something like that. Another Cuban writer I liked was Cabrera Infante. Very witty and funny. He passed away last year, or the year before last, I think. I know the others you mention, but I have not read their books...yet.
 

Marianopolita

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Juancarlos..

-I have read most of Jaime Bayly’ s novels and No se lo digas a nadie is one of them. That was his first novel and I guess one can say it set the stage for what’s to follow. It’s considered controversial, daring but a reflection of certain aspects of Peruvian society. I really enjoyed his last two novels- La mujer de mi hermano (2003) and El huracán lleva tu nombre (2004). I give both novels a four star rating. They received good reviews by the critics but mixed reviews by readers. What I mean is a range of opinions and reactions about his repetitive themes. Nevertheless, I am also intrigued by his writing style and the inner dialogue by at least one of the protagonists in his novels. La mujer de mi hermano is now a movie that was released last week in Mexico. I will attach the link from el Nuevo Herald.

-I read el Nuevo Herald daily and I have never seen a column by Jaime Bayly. If you could let me know what section of the newspaper I could find his commentary I would appreciate it.

- Cuban authors in general are just awesome! As you can see in my list of favorites there are four. Cuba has made and continues to make a great contribution to the Latin American literary sphere. Many of the authors are also essay and short story writers. Daína Chaviano, Habanera, is just brilliant and her novels express true Cuban sentiment. She is often compared to Zoe Valdés, another Cuban contemporary female author whose novels don’t appeal to me as much. In conversation with other avid readers I can say you either like one or the other. Daína has my vote.

- G. Cabrera Infante was one of Cuba’s most renowned authors of the older generation of literary scholars. I have yet to read a novel of his however, I have read some excerpts. He has an excellent writing style, which I imagine would make for great reading. He is one of Cuba’s giants along with Alejo Carpentier and Reinaldo Arenas.

-I enjoy reading newspapers too and coincidentally the same ones that you read- El Mundo and El Nuevo Herald for sure. El País used to be free online but to read it now I believe a subscription is required.

Here is the link of the movie release:

www.Jaime Bayly- 10/28/05

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LDG.



juancarlos said:
I can only say that I saw No se lo digas a nadie, a Peruvian movie based on the novel written by Jaime Bayly. Of course, I also saw Before Night Falls, based on the book written by Arenas. However, I have never actually read their books, I guess I am lazy. I spend too much time reading newspapers online, among them El Mundo, El Pais and El Herald. I do know Bayly usually writes in the Opinion section of El Miami Herald. I have read Carlos Alberto Monaner's first books, one of his earlier was Reporte Secreto de la Revolucion Cubana or something like that. Another Cuban writer I liked was Cabrera Infante. Very witty and funny. He passed away last year, or the year before last, I think. I know the others you mention, but I have not read their books...yet.
 
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hugoke01

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My Favorites



The only literature I ever read of Spanish authors are authors probably much better know by all of you than by myself ..
Some read in Spanish others in French or Dutch ..Here are my favorite ones (from many years ago)

J.L. Borges : Short stories (unique for the intelligence with which they are written and very surprising last sentence explanations ) Can't remember any title : I'm thinking of "Zephyr" but am almost sure it's not correct ..

Elizabeth Allende : Eva and others I don't remember either .. -she is good in creating a certain ambiente ...and last but not least :

G.G. Marquez : "Love in a time of Cholera" ... "One 100 years of solitude " and the for me very special "Cr?nica de una muerte anunciada "

Have read some (very few ) Spanish authors since I live in Spain but the few I read aren't worth mentioning ..The last book which was awarded the premio "Planeta" in Spain ( a few weeks ago ) was very criticized for it's low quality ,, The premio was awarded to Maria de la Pau Janer for her book "Pasiones Romanas"



Lesley D said:
I am a fan of contemporary Spanish literature and I always have a craving to read a good novel by a renowned author. I was just browsing through a section called encuentros digitales in elmundo.es and they provide updates about upcoming new releases. One of my favorite contemporary authors Jaime Bayly has a new release scheduled for November 8, 2005 called Y de repente, un ?ngel. Jaime Bayly is Peruvian, an author whose novels are considered controversial (because of the themes) but very well written in terms of how he uses the Spanish language IMO. I definitely will be reading this book very soon but in the meantime I was wondering if any of you have read some good Spanish novels of late or any type of Spanish literature. If so tell us about the author, the book and what you liked or disliked about the book or the author's style.

Here are some of my favorite authors:

Jaime Bayly
Pedro Juan Guti?rrez
Da?na Chaviano
Some of Paulo Coelho's literature (translated literature)
Rosa Montero
Reinaldo Arenas
Carlos Alberto Montaner


---------

LDG.
 

Chirimoya

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A lot of people have recommended La sombra del viento, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, set in Barcelona. Has anyone here read it?
Also, Mr Chiri recently read and enjoyed La Reina del Sur by Arturo Perez Reverte.

I strongly recommend Francisco Goldman, a Latin American writer who writes in English. I've recently read his latest, The Divine Husband, which is written around a fictitious episode in Jose Marti's life, based on his poem 'La nina de Guatemala'.
 

Marianopolita

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Hugoke01 & Chirimoya

Hugoke01,

Thanks for sharing your list which is quite interesting. Your selection of authors are all renowned in their respective countries as well as in Latin America. Just to give you my perspective on your choices these are my thoughts:

Jorge Borges- is very deep and his books can't be read at leisure. His works always have profound messages and most of his them were written during a very key period in Latin American literary history. Not one of my favorites at all. I read some of his works only because his novels were part of my university syllabus.

Isabel Allende- is a unique author with exclusive vocabulary and has plenty of work in her repertoire. I have quite a few of her novels waiting to be read. However, I have read Cuentos de Eva Luna. Just superb! She is a talented author.

Gabriel García Márquez- is one of the giants of contemporary Latin American literature. He has a tremendous repertoire of good novels, short stories, essays etc. Personally he is not one of my favorites but what I have read of his works I enjoyed. I did read Crónica de una muerte anunciada, El coronel no tiene quien le escriba, Noticia de un secuestro and Los Funerales de la mamá grande. My favorite by far is Noticia de un secuestro which is a true account of the guerrilla situation that has plagued Colombia for over forty years. A sad story but there is nothing pleasant about guerilla warfare.

The new book that you mentioned that got a bad review by the critics in Spain was one of the reviews I read in elmundo.es. That makes me kind of skeptical now about Jaime Bayly's new book but I don't focus too much on the commentary by the critics. I critique books myself. However, that author I believe is new and Jaime Bayly has other novels that validate his writing ability. So I guess I will find out how good the book is or not when I read it.


Chirimoya,

La Sombra del viento has very good reviews. As well, it's on my shelf waiting to be read. Sorry I can't provide feedback yet.


LDG.
 
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juancarlos

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Lesley, thanks for the info re the new movie. I had not heard about it yet. If they show it in Los Angeles I may go see it. El Pais is now gratis once more. Recently, I decided to check the site and saw you can access it without being a subscriber. Jaime Bayly's articles usually appeared sundays in the Opinion section of El Nuevo Herald. They were mostly tongue in cheek or humorous accounts of life in Miami as well as personal opinions on minor issues. I did not read them all the time, but did notice them. I don't know if they continue to appear there.
 

Tordok

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Chirimoya said:
A lot of people have recommended La sombra del viento, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, set in Barcelona. Has anyone here read it?
Also, Mr Chiri recently read and enjoyed La Reina del Sur by Arturo Perez Reverte.

I strongly recommend Francisco Goldman, a Latin American writer who writes in English. I've recently read his latest, The Divine Husband, which is written around a fictitious episode in Jose Marti's life, based on his poem 'La nina de Guatemala'.


Hello Bibliophiles,

I've read both La Sombra del Viento and La Reina del Sur. I do recommend both, La Reina is more "hip" but La Sombra is superior IMO as a mystery thriller and as an artistic creation.

Premio de Novela Alfaguara winners (and vey good books):
Diablo Guadián by Xavier Velasco (Mexico) 2003 thematically similar to La reina del Sur but much more creative and the use of the language (including Spanglish :lick: ) is amazing.
Delirio by Laura Restrepo (Colombia) 2004

Other good reading:

Trífero by Ray Loriga (Spain)

Less recent, but good stuff.
Juegos de la Edad Tardía by Luis Landero (Spain)
La Hija del Caníbal by Rosa Montero (Spain)
La prueba del laberinto by Fernando Sánchez-Dragó (Spain)

Books by one of my very favorites, Luis Sepúlveda (Chile):
-Mundo del fin del mundo, 1989 (The World at the End of the World)
-Un viejo que leía novelas de amor, 1989 (The Old Man Who Read Love Stories)
-Nombre de torero, 1994 (The Name of a Bullfighter)
-Diario de un killer sentimental seguido de Yacaré.

La casa de la laguna by Rosario Ferré (Puerto Rico)
Cuatro Manos/Four Hands by Paco Ignacio Taibo II (Mexico/Spain)

I have also read one long but brilliant book in original English by a Latin, Dr. Neruda's Cure for Evil by Rafael Yglesias (I think he is Cuban).

I did not like (among others):
La noche es virgen by Jaime Bayly (Peru); sorry Lesley, I see that you like his writing. I'll try it again.
Mala Onda by Alberto Fuget (Chile).

greetings,

- Tordok
 
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Marianopolita

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Juancarlos & Tordok

Juancarlos,

Thanks for providing that info about El Pa?s. That is good news to have that paper free online once again. I suspect they received plenty of complaints from avid readers.


Tordok,

Thanks for your contributions. Just an fyi...Jaime Bayly's style appears to be either you like it or not. That has been my observation via literary critics and opinions in my circle of friends. La Noche es virgen I read as well and I found it difficult to read because there are no capitals. If you try Bayly again maybe Yo amo a mi Mami will appeal to you more. You may want to read some of the reviews. They were very good and who knows maybe this new release may prove to be a good read as he strays from his traditional themes.

Merci.


LDG.
 

Tordok

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Lesley,
Thanks for the input. Maybe his new title is indeed more palatable for my taste (grumpy :cross-eye old :tired: fella that I am ). I remember the guy (Bayly) when he was an excellent TV interviewer/broadcaster in Santo Domingo in the 80s (Planeta Tres was the name of the show he hosted). Brilliant young man, but I must've picked the wrong title, because it was like reading with a tequila hangover.:ermm:

And my thanks as well to JuanCarlos for letting us know about the re-opening of the online El Pa?s with its awesome books supplements. I quit visiting their site as soon as they started charging a few years ago.

- Tordok
 

Chirimoya

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re Isabel Allende: having loved her early books with such a passion I still read everything she churns out, but more or less since 'El plan infinito' her books have taken a turn towards trashy romance. In retrospect, I can see now that 'De amor y sombra', which I believe was her second book, despite its subject matter was in many ways in the same genre as a Mills and Boon romance!

I did enjoy her rendition of 'Zorro', though, albeit in a bodice-ripping, swashbuckling sort of way.

'Mi pais invisible' was interesting but much of the ground had already been covered in 'Paula'.

I know this is about books in Spanish, but I can't resist mentioning another Latin American writing in English, Ana Menéndez, a Cuban woman who wrote 'Loving Che' which I read, and liked; and 'In Cuba I was a German Shepherd' which I haven't read.
 

Marianopolita

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Chirimoya...

All contributions are welcome here. No te preocupes.

Isn't that book by Isabel Allende called Mi País Inventado? Wow, it's disappointing to hear that Isabel Allende has changed so drastically. As I said I have yet to really get into her repertoire.

As well I forgot to mention that I like Puerto Rican literature too. Tordok mentioned Rosario Ferré and I would like to mention Olga Nolla. One book in particular El Manuscrito de Miramar was a good read IMO.

What do you all think about Esmeralda Santiago's literature? Her renowned novel was Cuando era Puertorriqueña?

LDG.
 
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Chirimoya

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Oops! Mi pais inventado, sorry.

I read Esmeralda Santiago's 'America's Dream' years ago, thought it was OK. I vaguely remember 'When I was Puerto Rican' too.
This reminds me that a couple of years ago I read a Puerto Rican book which charts the island's recent history and political factions through a family saga. Rosario Ferre, right?
 

Marianopolita

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Chirimoya...

Esmeralda Santiago's literature I think is perfect for Sr. Highschool. Her novels are easy to read and she gets her point across well with some cultural aspects that are relative. I put her works on the same level as Julia Alvarez in terms of the literary style and her level of Spanish.

The Puerto Rican book you are talking about is possibly Rosas de Papel and that's by Olga Nolla. The storyline sounds familiar although I have not yet read the book. Again it's in line.

LDG.


Chirimoya said:
Oops! Mi pais inventado, sorry.

I read Esmeralda Santiago's 'America's Dream' years ago, thought it was OK. I vaguely remember 'When I was Puerto Rican' too.
This reminds me that a couple of years ago I read a Puerto Rican book which charts the island's recent history and political factions through a family saga. Rosario Ferre, right?
 

hugoke01

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Jorge Borges

Lesley , it's clear that you don't like Borges but would like to recommend you to read at least "El Zahir"one day ..it's just amazing and you might like it .. I tried to read (years' ago ) some of his essays but gave it up .
.
Quienes buscan al escritor brillante de los interminables juegos mentales se entusiasmar?n con "El Zahir"; "Los dos reyes y los dos laberintos" y "Los te?logos".
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Lesley D said:
Hugoke01,


Jorge Borges- is very deep and his books can't be read at leisure. His works always have profound messages and most of his them were written during a very key period in Latin American literary history. Not one of my favorites at all. I read some of his works only because his novels were part of my university syllabus.
 

Quisqueya

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Chiri,

I read "La Reina del Sur" by A.P. Reverte..This spaniard really is a great writer. The book is all drama and hardcore action which IMO would be a good read for people that are into action & underworld lifestyle which usually isn't a good life..Ok, You guys should pick this book up I won't spoil the plot.

Leslie D,

Lately I've been reading some great french books thus I will refrain from posting them since this thread is about contemporary spanish literature.

BTW, I never heard of Jaime Bayly before..I wanted to thank you for bringing him to my attention..I will order his book ASAP..Thus, hopefully I will get to it by March 2006 since I have so many books on my reading list...

Chao.......

Chirimoya said:
A lot of people have recommended La sombra del viento, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, set in Barcelona. Has anyone here read it?
Also, Mr Chiri recently read and enjoyed La Reina del Sur by Arturo Perez Reverte.

I strongly recommend Francisco Goldman, a Latin American writer who writes in English. I've recently read his latest, The Divine Husband, which is written around a fictitious episode in Jose Marti's life, based on his poem 'La nina de Guatemala'.
 

Chirimoya

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La reina del sur came to my attention because some of it is set in and around Gibraltar. I haven't actually read it yet.
 

Marianopolita

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Hugoke01 & Quisqueya

Hugoke01,

I always give an author more than one chance. Even if I don't like some of their works I will try something else be it an essay, a short story etc. Borges is just not high on my list of authors and part of it is because some deep thought is required to extract his messages. This comment by the critics: 'los interminables juegos mentales' is the reason why I stay away from Borges. Sometimes simple reading is all I need. However, I will keep your recommendation in mind. Thanks.


Quisqueya,

I am glad to see that you are following this thread. I know that you read a lot so I do hope it has been helpful. Sure give Bayly a try. As Tordok and I discussed it's either you like him or not but the way how he handles the Spanish language in some of his books is impressive. I forgot to mention one book that may appeal to readers is Fue ayer y no me acuerdo as well as this new release.

To be honest with you I am behind with my French reading and it will come back to haunt me but for now I just keep pace with French by reading the newspapers and my day to day conversations but I need to get back to reading French.


LDG.

BTW- Lesley with an 'ey' and not 'ie'.


hugoke01 said:
Lesley , it's clear that you don't like Borges but would like to recommend you to read at least "El Zahir"one day ..it's just amazing and you might like it .. I tried to read (years' ago ) some of his essays but gave it up .
.
Quienes buscan al escritor brillante de los interminables juegos mentales se entusiasmarán con "El Zahir"; "Los dos reyes y los dos laberintos" y "Los teólogos".
 
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Tordok

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Chirimoya said:
Oops! Mi pais inventado, sorry.
I read Esmeralda Santiago's 'America's Dream' years ago, thought it was OK. I vaguely remember 'When I was Puerto Rican' too.
This reminds me that a couple of years ago I read a Puerto Rican book which charts the island's recent history and political factions through a family saga. Rosario Ferre, right?

Chiri,
The book by Ferr? that I mentioned (La Casa de la Laguna) is indeed a family saga. Author Ferr? is the daughter of the late former governor of the island Luis A. Ferr? -a pro statehood Republican and one of the wealthiest men on the island. The writer has in the past been a political pariah in the social circles of her family of oirigin for espousing a pro independece bent in island politics. The book makes interesting reading for she skillfully weaves into her story the political history and social dynamics of the post US invasion PR.
I have had Esmeralda Santiago's When I was Puerto Rican for years and have never gotten around reading it. Don't know why.

Quisqueya;
Re. La Reina del Sur,
You are right, most of the action takes place in southern Spain, Gibraltar, Ceuta or Melilla as well as Morocco....its a smugglers blues story, "Miami Vice" but southern Spain style rather than South Florida style.


Hugo & Lesley;
Other random thoughts about authors: for a linguistic adventure, anything by the late Julio C?rtazar (Argentina) can be a lot of fun. Sort of a latin Kurt Vonnegut, only more disciplined if not also more talented.

JL Borges' literature is too complex. His brain...too big for my brain. Many Argentinian writers seem inclined to metaphysics and existentialism, Cortazar is not exempt from that but he was just a lot more avant-garde and funny.
I also thoroughly enjoyed a decidely non-fun book by another Argentine, Ernesto S?bato's El T?nel, long part of the Latin American canon.

- Tordok
 

Marianopolita

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Dec 26, 2003
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Excellent Tordok!

Okay I held back from saying that I think Jorge Borges is an existentialist because I had a professor who had a fit when I suggested that Borges' literature borders on those parameters. However, I see I am not alone in my asseverations. I think Borges is comparable to Albert Camus (French) when it comes to existentialism but somehow I find Camus' literature much easier to decipher 'sin juegos mentales'.

I read El Túnel two months ago. Excellent book! Ernesto Sábato impressed me especially since it was the first sampling I had of his work. I will read more of his novels in the future.

Thanks for those new suggestions and clarifying that PR book that Chiri asked about. Somehow I have not read much by any author from the Río Plate region. I have El Baile de la Victoria by Antonio Skármeta (chileno) which I will probably read in the next couple of months.



LDG.
 
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