In the Distance with You

April 1, 2018

Translated into English after winning the prestigious Spanish-language Alfaguara Prize in 2015, Chilean author Guelfenbein's fifth novel investigates the death of 80-year-old reclusive Chilean author Vera Sigall from three perspectives. Vera is inspired by Clarice Lispector, who had a resurgence in popularity after her Complete Stories were published in English in 2015. The reader is allowed only as close to the enigmatic Vera as the narrators are, and her true character remains a tantalizing mystery. Her neighbor Daniel, a failed architect, finds her collapsed on the ground near her house and sits at the hospital every day waiting for her to recover. He suspects that her fall was no accident. Emilia, a young woman who has come to Santiago to study the symbolism of stars in Vera's work, meets Daniel at the author's bedside. From 50 years ago, there is also the voice of Horacio, a poet and Vera's former lover. Their three stories, along with their memories of Vera leading up to the mysterious fall, create a moving page-turner. VERDICT Suspense, emotions, and magic course throughout this beautifully narrated book. Highly recommended for fans of Latin American literature and general literary mysteries.--Kate Gray, Boston P.L., MA

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