What happens to a Suburban Lifestyle Dream deferred? Does it dry up, like a martini with no vermouth? Or fester like a sore— And then say something uncouth? Does it stink like alewives in spring? Or crust and sugar over— like a Pinterest thing? Maybe it just… [Read More]
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Argentina, Chile, and Lessons from History
Argentina and Chile, like the US, were colonial nations, settled by the Spanish. They received independence at about the same time as the US, 1808 for Chile and 1810 for Argentina. Neither had chattel slavery, but Spain’s practices of forced labor in its colonies were notably brutal. Like the US, both are rich in natural… [Read More]
Chile: Daughter of Fortune
Isabel Allende is an absolute master of language, character, and plot. Daughter of Fortune: A Novel is a fantastic story. It was published in English in 1999 and was an Oprah’s Book Club selection, but I didn’t get around to it until this weekend. My only regret is not reading it sooner. Allende was born… [Read More]
Algeria: Cousin K
Albert Camus is the best-known author from Algeria, but he is not the only one. Yasmina Khadra is another. It’s the feminine pen name used by the masculine Mohammed Moulessehoul, who served in the Algerian Army and wanted to avoid censorship. This particular novella is part of the French Voices series of translations at the… [Read More]
Albania: The Fall of the Stone City
Albania is next up in the alphabetical list of nations. Ismail Kadare is probably the novelist who is best-known outside of the country, often listed as a possible Noble Prize winner. The Fall of the Stone City is a story about the Nazi invasion in World War II. Albania is one of those nations that… [Read More]
