Reviews

Sju tomma hus by Samanta Schweblin

zalopunk's review against another edition

4.0

Este libro es un golazo. En estos cuentos Schweblin evita un poco ir tan directo a la violencia que maneja en otros libros, pero si se mantiene una inquietud por la sociedad del siglo XXI. Hay una evolución entre libros como Pajaros en la Boca y este. Un deseo de cubrir el shock en la individualidad de nuestros propios problemas.

Siete casas vacías muestra relatos donde hay sujetos que frente a lo extraño se escudan en inquietudes irrelevantes. Escapan en busca de algo que descoloque la rutina, pero regresan a la normalidad de forma forzada. Te deja un sabor de boca raro, pero ese es el gran logro de la literatura latinoamericana hoy.

No es su mejor libro. Hay cuentos que se hacen experimentales no con resultados perfectos, de los que la autora es capaz. Pero como entrada a su obra están muy buenos.

seeceeread's review against another edition

She had concluded that even in old age, death needed a final push, a emotional nudge, or a physical one. And she couldn't give that to her body. She wanted to die, but every morning, inevitably, she woke up again.

A woman contrives access to another socioeconomic class. A shut-in with dementia and paranoia accidentally harms her neighbors. A forgotten little girl receives intimate assistance from an unnamed man. An ex-husband's nudist parents initiate his children while his wife frantically looks for them.

Much fiction is about romance, self-actualization, triumph and security and contentment. Schweblin writes into the friction of neighbors who cannot trust each other, soured marriages, the endless imbalances between loved ones, and small disagreements ... or misunderstandings. This is not horror or gore or fearful. She's feeling for the textures of dialed down, yet common – and unpleasant – emotions: inadequacy, aggravation, hesitation. Her sentences often surprise. Likewise, perhaps many shorts end abruptly because there is little formula for this in fiction (and minimal guidance in day-to-day life for managing these recurring slights). We wax, wane, serve, return. And start the next one.

emma_iride's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ellozx's review against another edition

too boring, short stories are not my thing after all

armandocosas's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 ⭐️

acweber's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

nora_d_tinta_y_papel's review against another edition

5.0

Que hace mucho no me generaba tal nivel de ansiedad y angustia leer un relato. Me encantó, letras girando al rededor de la locura, la mente, la angustia, lo impredecible. El primer cuento me voló la cabeza, la mujer que entra a las casas a ver cómo son y qué tienen. Me reí con los abuelos y sus nietos.
Y el relato del hombre sin suerte me tenía angustiada.
Bien, creo que el mejor libro de relatos de lo que va del año.

rwheaton's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emilcereynoso's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

aguspista's review against another edition

4.0

aguanten las autoras argentinas de relatos cortos, mi género favorito