Varamo

Fiction & Literature, Literary
Cover of the book Varamo by César Aira, New Directions
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: César Aira ISBN: 9780811219556
Publisher: New Directions Publication: February 22, 2012
Imprint: New Directions Language: English
Author: César Aira
ISBN: 9780811219556
Publisher: New Directions
Publication: February 22, 2012
Imprint: New Directions
Language: English

The surprising, magnificent story of a Panamanian government employee who, one day, after a series of troubles, writes the celebrated masterwork of modern Central American poetry.

Unmistakably the work of César Aira, Varamo is about the day in the life of a hapless government employee who, after wandering around all night after being paid by the Ministry in counterfeit money, eventually writes the most celebrated masterwork of modern Central American poetry, The Song of the Virgin Boy. What is odd is that, at fifty years old, Varamo “hadn’t previously written one sole verse, nor had it ever occurred to him to write one.”

Among other things, this novella is an ironic allegory of the poet’s vocation and inspiration, the subtlety of artistic genius, and our need to give literature an historic, national, psychological, and aesthetic context. But Aira goes further still — converting the ironic allegory into a formidable parody of the expectations that all narrative texts generate — by laying out the pathos of a man who between one night and the following morning is touched by genius. Once again Aira surprises us with his unclassifiable fiction: original and enjoyable, worthy of many a thoughtful chuckle, Varamo invites the reader to become an accomplice in the author’s irresistible game.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The surprising, magnificent story of a Panamanian government employee who, one day, after a series of troubles, writes the celebrated masterwork of modern Central American poetry.

Unmistakably the work of César Aira, Varamo is about the day in the life of a hapless government employee who, after wandering around all night after being paid by the Ministry in counterfeit money, eventually writes the most celebrated masterwork of modern Central American poetry, The Song of the Virgin Boy. What is odd is that, at fifty years old, Varamo “hadn’t previously written one sole verse, nor had it ever occurred to him to write one.”

Among other things, this novella is an ironic allegory of the poet’s vocation and inspiration, the subtlety of artistic genius, and our need to give literature an historic, national, psychological, and aesthetic context. But Aira goes further still — converting the ironic allegory into a formidable parody of the expectations that all narrative texts generate — by laying out the pathos of a man who between one night and the following morning is touched by genius. Once again Aira surprises us with his unclassifiable fiction: original and enjoyable, worthy of many a thoughtful chuckle, Varamo invites the reader to become an accomplice in the author’s irresistible game.

More books from New Directions

Cover of the book Fairy Tales: Dramolettes by César Aira
Cover of the book Pereira Maintains by César Aira
Cover of the book The Crime of Father Amaro by César Aira
Cover of the book At Heaven's Gate: Novel by César Aira
Cover of the book The Miracle Cures of Dr. Aira by César Aira
Cover of the book Mr. Kafka: And Other Tales from the Time of the Cult by César Aira
Cover of the book The Poems of St. John of the Cross by César Aira
Cover of the book Spain in Our Hearts: Espana en el corazon by César Aira
Cover of the book Literature Class, Berkeley 1980 by César Aira
Cover of the book A Bernadette Mayer Reader by César Aira
Cover of the book Where Europe Begins: Stories by César Aira
Cover of the book A House Not Meant to Stand: A Gothic Comedy by César Aira
Cover of the book Negative Space by César Aira
Cover of the book Borges at Eighty: Conversations by César Aira
Cover of the book The Wisdom of the Desert by César Aira
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy