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Fiction. Literature. HTML:New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice From acclaimed Argentine author Pedro Mairal and Man Booker International-winning translator Jennifer Croft, the unforgettable story of two would-be lovers over the course of a single day. Lucas Pereyra, an unemployed writer in his forties, embarks on a day trip from Buenos Aires to Montevideo to pick up fifteen thousand dollars in cash. An advance due to him on his upcoming novel, the small fortune might mean the solution to his problems, most importantly the tension he has with his wife. While she spends her days at work and her nights out on the town-with a lover, perhaps, he doesn't know for sure-Lucas is stuck at home all day staring at the blank page, caring for his son Maiko and fantasizing about the one thing that keeps him going: the woman from Uruguay whom he met at a conference and has been longing to see ever since. But that woman, Magalí Guerra Zabala, is a free spirit with her own relationship troubles, and the day they spend together in this beautiful city on the beach winds up being nothing like Lucas predicted. The constantly surprising, moving story of this dramatically transformative day in their lives, The Woman from Uruguay is both a gripping narrative and a tender, thought-provoking exploration of the nature of relationships. An international bestseller published in fourteen countries, it is the masterpiece of one of the most original voices in Latin American literature toda… (more)
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An Argentine writer revisits Montevideo a year after having a 1 day tryst with a Uruguayan woman, named Guerra. Having opened a bank account there, he plans to take a day trip on the River Plate ferry. Once there he plans to receive an advance from his Spanish
While there he plans to reunite with the mysterious and voluptuous Guerra and touch base with his writing mentor, who appears to be a stand in for the late Mario Lavrero.
Mairal is an inventive, amusing, playful writer who has a knack for moving his story quickly and suspensefully. The best laid plans unravel as if it were a Juan Carlos Onetti story (the great Uruguayan writer who is mentioned in the book).
A short, enticing tale which can easily be digested in a few sittings. Marial has 2 other English translations. His, The Missing Year of Juan Salvatierra, which I read last year is as enjoyable, charming, and inventive. He is an emerging younger Argentine novelist who has a bright future.
As an aside : The Woman from Uruguay, is currently in film production by a group led by Hernan Casciari of Orsai fame (also mentioned in the book). Mi amigo, Gabo Grosvald, a porteno is one of the main producers. One of Marial’s earlier novels, A Night with Sabrina Love, has already been adapted to film.
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When two people are attracted to each other, a strange telekinesis opens up a path between them that removes all obstacles. It’s that clichéd. Mountains are moved aside. It was three in the morning, and I went to sleep drunk on all of that, without an ounce of guilt.
Now I did kiss her. I put my arms around her waist and pressed her to me. A kiss with tongue, an ensnaring kiss, a kiss of perfect intimacy, as though the enormous dome of the sky were coming so close it created our own run of silence.
A person in love is like a person afflicted with severe paranoia: he thinks everything is speaking directly to him. The songs on the radio, movies, the horoscope, random street flyers … Guerra’s piercing.
Years and years of genetic manipulation had edged it toward what it was today: a jaw of a dog, rough, tough, a canine cudgel of lethal chomps, a Tasmanian devil with a huge square head.
“I like my men worn in, just like my jeans.” “I’m at death’s door, in that case. Totally destroyed.”
She seemed relaxed, slightly tousled, with a peace in her voice like she was high on the endorphins of a recent orgasm.