A review by jola_g
Bonsai by Alejandro Zambra
4.0
IMAGINE…
Imagine a book whose first sentence is a huge spoiler: it summarizes the plot and tells you what will happen at the end.
Imagine a book which is a moving homage to literature and its ironic mockery at the same time.
Imagine a book in which its author invites you to participate in an intellectual game and winks at you in conspiracy from time to time.
Imagine a book filled to the brim with literary allusions.
Eyvind Earle, Bonsai, 1987.
Imagine a book which will enrich your To Be Read list.
Imagine a book which will make you ponder what some passages of classics would sound read aloud in an erotic voice.
Imagine a book which will make you understand – in case you are still not convinced – that literature not only provokes philosophical questions but also gives sheer joy.
Imagine a book by an author whose prose is 'as compact as a grain of gunpowder, but its allusions and ramifications branch out and illuminate even the most remote corners of our minds', according to Valeria Luiselli. She adds that it feels like 'someone’s shooting fireworks inside my head'.
Alfio Giuffrida, BONSAI Exp5, 2017.
Imagine a book which will make you wonder what a bonsai symbolizes from the author’s point of view. Literature? 'Caring for a bonsai is like writing, thinks Julio. Writing is like caring for a bonsai, thinks Julio.' Or maybe art in general? How about love? 'They decided to buy a bonsai to symbolize the immense love that united them.' Life? Illusory hopes? Needless to say, all the answers might be correct.
Imagine a book in which the plot, based on a love story, serves only as a catapult for reflection on writing and reading.
Imagine a book which will leave you hungry for more.
Imagine… Actually, you don’t have to imagine anything. Just read Bonsai (2008) by Alejandro Zambra.
Ee Suchin.
Imagine a book whose first sentence is a huge spoiler: it summarizes the plot and tells you what will happen at the end.
Imagine a book which is a moving homage to literature and its ironic mockery at the same time.
Imagine a book in which its author invites you to participate in an intellectual game and winks at you in conspiracy from time to time.
Imagine a book filled to the brim with literary allusions.
Eyvind Earle, Bonsai, 1987.
Imagine a book which will enrich your To Be Read list.
Imagine a book which will make you ponder what some passages of classics would sound read aloud in an erotic voice.
Imagine a book which will make you understand – in case you are still not convinced – that literature not only provokes philosophical questions but also gives sheer joy.
Imagine a book by an author whose prose is 'as compact as a grain of gunpowder, but its allusions and ramifications branch out and illuminate even the most remote corners of our minds', according to Valeria Luiselli. She adds that it feels like 'someone’s shooting fireworks inside my head'.
Alfio Giuffrida, BONSAI Exp5, 2017.
Imagine a book which will make you wonder what a bonsai symbolizes from the author’s point of view. Literature? 'Caring for a bonsai is like writing, thinks Julio. Writing is like caring for a bonsai, thinks Julio.' Or maybe art in general? How about love? 'They decided to buy a bonsai to symbolize the immense love that united them.' Life? Illusory hopes? Needless to say, all the answers might be correct.
Imagine a book in which the plot, based on a love story, serves only as a catapult for reflection on writing and reading.
Imagine a book which will leave you hungry for more.
Imagine… Actually, you don’t have to imagine anything. Just read Bonsai (2008) by Alejandro Zambra.
Ee Suchin.