The Spirit of Science Fiction by Roberto Bolaño

Author:Roberto Bolaño [Bolaño, Roberto]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2019-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

Do you really think this is normal? I mean, are these artsy parties normal for Mexico? I can’t help feeling that there’s something unhealthy about all this. Something sad and dark.”

“It’s true. People drink. They aren’t careful. The celebrating gets out of hand. That’s the way it always is.”

“Good thing I have someone to talk to. If I were alone, I would’ve left by now.”

“That might’ve been a little difficult. The winner isn’t allowed to just walk out of a party thrown in his honor . . .”

“I was afraid of that.”

“My poor friend, don’t look so gloomy. Let’s talk more about your work. Why are your stories always set in Europe? Don’t you know that true universality lies in the particular, the local?”

“Please don’t talk that way. You sound like the long-lost sister of the Taviani brothers. The truth is, and I’m not saying this to get off the hook, no part of my humble first work is set in Europe. There are references to books read in childhood, part nostalgia, part desperation. Magazines I can barely remember: U-2, Commando, Spitfire, maybe, though they probably had other names. . . . It can also be seen as an interpretation of the teachings of Huachofeo: extrapolation leads us to open doors that were once bricked up. . . . A very southern turn of phrase, straight out of Concepción. . . . But ask me questions. I don’t want to bore you.”

“You aren’t boring me. I’ve got the shivers. Did you say we’re in a clearing in the woods?”

“Let’s go out on the terrace, and you can see for yourself. Or let’s open this window. I don’t think anyone will notice.”

“No, don’t do it. Soon enough the two of us will stroll out arm in arm for a breath of fresh air. Right now I think it would make me sick. Talk to me about something, anything. About new Mexican poetry.”

“For God’s sake. I insist: you aren’t well. Let’s get out of this hole or at least have a cup of coffee. It smells like semen and vaginal juices in here!”

“You’re right. Old people’s semen and vaginal juices.”

“Old intellectuals’, I might add.”

“Talk to me about your work; if we keep this up, I’ll probably lose my job.”

“You’d get plenty of offers. You’re a very nice reporter.”

“Thank you.”

“And incredibly hardworking.”

“Thank you. If you don’t mind, let’s stay on the subject.”

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