I've read a lot of this 'autoficcion' style of novel recently and Meruane's semi-autobiographical novel is a perfect example, drawing on her own experience of temporary blindness.
The style of the book takes a little getting used to. Instead of chapters, Meruane uses headed sections, most only two or three pages at most. At first I found it difficult to read but eventually I got into the story and this technique, whilst jarring, fits with the theme of the book. A forced adjustment. As Lina deals with the potential permanency of her blindness, she begins to question her future purpose. She cannot read and has to listen to audiobooks. How will she write when she connects the process so much to being able to see the words? How will she live her life in New York, away from her family in Chile, if her partner were not there to care for her?
Meruane's writing is brutal and this comes across in the translation to English for the most part. There are a few sentences which jar - a fault though I think of the translation - but overall it works. I would have liked a little more Spanish and there were some sentences that I felt would have been strengthened by a Spanish word or phrase that felt weaker in the English.
I thought this a thought-provoking read, devastating and unique.
The style of the book takes a little getting used to. Instead of chapters, Meruane uses headed sections, most only two or three pages at most. At first I found it difficult to read but eventually I got into the story and this technique, whilst jarring, fits with the theme of the book. A forced adjustment. As Lina deals with the potential permanency of her blindness, she begins to question her future purpose. She cannot read and has to listen to audiobooks. How will she write when she connects the process so much to being able to see the words? How will she live her life in New York, away from her family in Chile, if her partner were not there to care for her?
Meruane's writing is brutal and this comes across in the translation to English for the most part. There are a few sentences which jar - a fault though I think of the translation - but overall it works. I would have liked a little more Spanish and there were some sentences that I felt would have been strengthened by a Spanish word or phrase that felt weaker in the English.
I thought this a thought-provoking read, devastating and unique.