Julio Cortázar's collection of very short pieces invents three kinds of beings: cronopios, who are dreamy, disorganized, and kind; famas, who are orderly and pompous; and esperanzas, who are dull and passive. Around them he arranges instructions for everyday acts, such as how to climb a staircase, cry, or wind a watch, written as solemn manuals that turn strange. Other sections show cronopios and famas at the post office, at travel, or in family life, with surreal logic and small cruelties.
Anyone who enjoys Borges, Calvino, or playful surrealism will like the book's absurd wit. Short entries make it easy to dip into, and its humour hides a gentle argument for improvising against rules.
Deep, contemplative, open-ended and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1962
- Language
- EN
