Sexographies by Gabriela Wiener

Author:Gabriela Wiener
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Restless Books
Published: 2018-05-24T19:35:23+00:00

The next morning, I meet up with an immaculate Isabel Allende at a hotel lounge over American-style breakfast. We get to talking about why women identify so much with her stories and with their optimistic vision of the world, which places relationships and emotions at the forefront. When I bring up the topic of her critics, she replies as she always does: “women’s writing” is a term used derogatively, and she’s fought for years against this segregation. I’m intrigued to learn how she feels when judged not by a critic, which is bearable, but by another writer, especially when those authors enjoy great prestige.

“I take criticism like I take success,” she says in a tone that changes from personable and offhand to forceful and proud. “Curiously, Elena Poniatowska doesn’t say things about other writers. Why does she only say things about me? Because I sell books.”

The executives staying in this hotel might well mistake Poniatowska’s name for that of a Russian tennis player.

“Saying things about me makes her more visible. No one would ask Poniatowska what she thinks about my books if they weren’t selling. Bolaño? He never said anything good about anyone. He was a good writer, but what a hateful man.”

Bolaño called her an escribidora—a prolific and bad writer. Making fun of Isabel Allende isn’t a sign of intelligence, it’s part of Latin American literary folklore.

“There are people who say I’m a genius—do you think I lap that up? I’ve got work to do.” Isabel Allende has turned serious. But not overly so.

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