April Reviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Books for Adults, Fiction, Nonfiction, and Also in Translation
Edited by Aida Bardales Apr 27, 2011FICTION
Ciudad de payasos.
(City of Clowns)
Alarcón, Daniel, text.
Alvarado, Sheila, illus.
tr. by Jorge Cornejo Calle. Peru/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2010. 143p. illus. ISBN 9786124039539. pap. $19.99. GRAPHIC NOVEL
Alarcón's short story, first published in The New Yorker in June 2003 and subsequently reprinted in his 2005 story collection, War by Candlelightgets a visual upgrade here. He and good friend and graphic partner Alvarado bring to our attention the story's important backdrop: the city of Lima, whose culture of crime and corruption feeds the hopelessness and loneliness that permeates the lives of its inhabitants, including Chino, the journalist at the center of the story. Using a black-and-white palette to complement Alarcón's prose, Alvarado casts a pall over the city and the marginalized characters, including prostitutes and clowns. Whereas the original source material was written at a vertiginous pace, after the author's year-long stint teaching photography to the children of the slums of San Juan de Lurigancho, this adaptation, Alarcón admits, was assembled more piecemeal, with every sketch drawn and redrawn to perfection over the course of a year. In an afterword, Alarcón offers more insight into the story behind the story; he explains, for example that during his last week in Lima he met a writer from the newspaper La República who became his inspiration for Chino and that clowns are an indelible part of life in Lima. Recommended for Latin American fiction collections. [See also Alarcón's The King Is Always Above His People, reviewed below.-Ed.]-Michael Sosa, Brooklyn, NY
Carolina se enamora.
(Carolina Falls in Love)
Moccia, Federico.
tr. by Patricia Orts. Mexico: Planeta. 2011. 538p. ISBN 9786070706356. pap. $27.95. FICTION
In this fluffy yet bittersweet coming-of-age story, Carolina decides to make love to her 19-year-old boyfriend the year she turns 14. The rest of the novel is her explanation of the events that led to her choice. That she is being set up for heartbreak should surprise no one, but the form this takes is unfortunately given very short (and distasteful) shrift in the final pages. The novel is divided into monthly sections that begin with Carolina's answers to teen magazine-style quizzes. Her family members also narrate short sections that provide a respite from her relentless name-dropping chatter. Though some readers may find this baby Sex in the City entertaining, others could be put off by having a middle-aged male author narrates in the voice of a young teenage girl. Recommended only for large YA collections and bookstores.-Sara Martinez, Hispanic Resource Ctr., Tulsa City-Cty. Lib. Syst. OK
Correr tras el viento.
(Chasing After the Wind)
La Torre Lagares, Elidio.
Puerto Rico: Terranova Editores. 268p. ISBN 9781935163596. pap. $NA. FICTION
In a work that transcends the typical love story, the author delivers the intense passion that exists between two reunited lovers and ensconces it in a thriller that celebrates the noir tradition. Complete with twists and packed with action that keeps readers' hearts pumping with every turn of the page, the narrative has a descriptive style that tantalizes with its rich imagery. Protagonist Brad Molloy is an ex-con who runs a chocolate boutique and is involved in aphrodisiac trafficking. One day, a violinist enters to deliver a stolen Stradivarius and drops dead, thrusting Molloy into an intriguing web that involves corruption, the FBI, and the Russian mob. In the midst of Molloy's dilemma he unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost love, Aura Lee. This book might best be compared to Dashiell Hammett's brand of pulp fiction. Strongly recommended for adult audiences and literature students.-Vivian Gómez, Woodside, NY
Autógrafo sagrado. Viviré hasta que vuelvas.
(Sacred Signature: I Shall Live Until Your Return)
Pandiani, Álvaro.
U.S.: Grupo Nelson: Thomas Nelson. 2011. 377 p. ISBN 9781602554320. pap. $13.99. THRILLER
This Uruguayan's fifth novel is a Christian-styled thriller set in Asia in the year 2036. Creatively based on a scripture in the gospel of John in which Jesus seems to say that John will not die until his return ("Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die..."), this novel follows Johannes the Venerable, a monk whose age and past nobody is sure about. In the monastery of San Ulrico, Turkey, Johannes discovers a vessel that appears to be at least 2000 years old, which he thinks contains one of the original gospels. Days after he sends off the vessel to the Museum of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul for archaeological study, war breaks out between Turkey and Greece. Johannes, his disciple Alípio, and a colonel embark on a journey to the war's epicenter to recover the valuable vessel. While the premise is inventive and the writing at times masterly, the characters are paper-thin caricatures of good and evil, and the book's agenda is painfully perceptible. Nevertheless, fans of Christian fiction might still enjoy this book. Recommended for bookstores and popular Christian fiction collections.-Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Palo Alto, CA
NONFICTION
Sobre mis pasos.
(The Road Traveled)
Cárdenas , Cuauhtémoc.
Mexico/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2010. 614p. photogs. ISBN 9786071107329. pap. $19.99. MEMOIR
Cárdenas, son of Gen. Lázaro Cárdenas, former president of Mexico (1934-40), has been involved in politics since his student days. For over 25 years, he belonged to the official Mexican political party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), before establishing a popular leftist coalition, the Democratic National Front (FDN). Cárdenas dedicated most of his life to politics, first as governor of Michoacan (1982-86) and later as mayor of Mexico City (1997-99). In 1988, he lost the race for the presidency, though many contend that voter fraud had denied his the victory. Cárdenas ran unsuccessfully twice more, in 1994 and 2000. Here, he attempts to leave a record of his impressions of the times he lived through, glossing over the highlights and offering a gentlemanly approach to politics. His text, which is organized chronologically, focuses on his involvement in Mexican politics, though his interactions with the Sandinistas of Nicaragua and episodes on U.S. soil are also included. The writing is not especially riveting, and there is no index, which would be helpful given the length of the book and the numerous Mexican politicians and intellectuals appearing in its pages. The photographs included document Cárdenas's long career in politics while also showing his children in a variety of settings, including meetings with the likes of the Subcomandante Marcos. Recommended for libraries and readers with a strong interest in contemporary Mexican politics.-Catherine Rendón, Savannah, GA
Mi libro de recetas para bebés.
(My Book of Recipes for Babies)
Carenco, Jenny.
tr. by Ana María Pérez Martínez. Spain: Blume, dist. by IPG. 2010. 192p. photogs. ISBN 9788480768764. pap. $19.95. COOKING
With the recent focus on childhood obesity, this collection of healthy recipes for babies comes at an opportune time. Carenco, founder of a French company that makes natural frozen foods for infants, has compiled 113 simple recipes, divided into chapters by age-appropriate food type. Blending humor with thoughtful advice from her children's pediatrician, Carenco uses an engaging style to guide parents on how to help their babies acquire a taste for natural, nutritious foods. Heavy on fruits and vegetables, the recipes are generally accompanied by tips on how to adapt the meal for adults, a practical tool given the hectic lifestyles of parents today. A glossary offers concise nutritional information about most of the recipe ingredients, and a FAQs section by the pediatrician addresses concerns about nutrients and food allergies. Parental schedule constraints are lightly addressed with five rules on finding the time to prepare home-cooked meals for babies, but whipping up a week's worth of sauces on Sunday may not work for everyone. Nevertheless, any parent who is troubled by the quality of commercial baby food products may find this a valuable resource. Recommended for popular bookstores and libraries.-Pamela Corante, Los Angeles
Enseñando rebeldía.
(Teaching Rebellion)
Denham, Diana & CASA Collective, eds.
U.S.: PM Pr, dist. by IPG. 2011. 384p.illus. ISBN 9781604861075. $20. TESTIMONIAL/CURRENT AFFAIRS
In 2006, a teachers' strike sparked a popular uprising in Oaxaca that eventually-at the cost of many deaths and detentions-turned the entrenched power structure on its ear. Elections last year saw victories by candidates who took part in the protests and in some cases had been imprisoned. This book presents first-person accounts of 23 movement participants and witnesses to events who testify to the experiences of the countless other educators, housewives, graffiti artists, organizers, radio announcers, and journalists who spent time on the barricades. Told from divergent points of view, these stories illustrate the often-difficult chemistry that sustains a successful popular movement; the cause's umbrella identity, APPO (Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca), is itself a convergence of hundreds of community organizations. Individually interesting, the stories are even more valuable when taken together for the lessons they teach about the difficulties and dividends of activist solidarity in civil society. One of the book's appendixes is an eight-page study guide geared toward classroom facilitators, while others include timelines of key events in the Oaxacan struggle and a general summary of Mexican history that helps put the 21st-century events in a historical context. Both a good read for those interested in contemporary Mexico and an inspiring textbook for people striving to learn how to work effectively for social justice; highly recommended for academic and public libraries, as well as bookstores.-Bruce Jensen, Kutztown Univ. Lib., PA
José Saramago. La consistencia de los sueños.
José Saramago: Consistency of Dreams)
Gómez-Aguilera, Fernando.
Spain/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2010. 313p. ISBN 9786071107138. $21.99. BIOGRAPHY
The death in 2010 of the Portuguese Nobel laureate has sparked a host of commemorative books, including compilations of his blogs (El cuaderno. Textos escritos para el blog) and quotes (José Saramago en sus palabras). As its subtitle suggests, this chronological biography offers a year-by-year review of Saramago's life, complete with an assortment of pictures of his childhood and memorabilia (school test scores, manuscripts, his old and battered typewriter). The narrative offers all kinds of anecdotes, from Saramago's impoverished upbringing (he bought his first books after borrowing money from a friend) to his 1998 coronation at the Swedish Academy. He also appears in pictures alongside literary giants such as Ernesto Sábato, Susan Sontag, and Gabriel García Márquez and with several Portuguese presidents and leftist icons, such as Fidel Castro and Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos. Structured as a series of biographical snippets of information and quotes, this will satisfy Saramago's core fans, but it doesn't make for an absorbing read. Gómez-Aguilera's work is authoritative but is hampered by a pompous, hagiographic tone, as when he describes Saramago's life as "miraculous" but doesn't back up his claim. Recommended only for specialized bookstores and libraries. [See also Saramago's La Caverna, reviewed below.-Ed.]-Carlos Rodríguez Martorell, East Elmhurst, NY
La andadura del español por el mundo.
(The Course of Spanish Throughout the World)
López Morales, Humberto.
Mexico/U.S.: Taurus: Santillana. 2010. 464p. ISBN 9786071107749. pap. $26.99. NONFICTION
Sixteenth-century conquistadors and modern-day telenovelas alike contributed to the evolution of the Spanish language, as illustrated here by López Morales. Winner of the second annual Isabel Polanco International Essay Prize, this scholarly account takes the reader on a fascinating journey from the early roots of Spanish in the Iberian peninsula to its current growth in the United States. Among other historical items, the first section offers a well-researched explanation of how the various linguistic nuances and intonations of Latin American Spanish evolved. Part 2, which comprises slightly more than half of the book, examines Spanish today. Included is a detailed overview of how current Spanish-language authorities and mass media reconcile the diverse linguistic patterns and vocabulary of Spanish speakers worldwide to maintain the language's universality and integrity. Writing in an academic style laden with statistics and a moderate number of charts and graphs, the author is painstakingly thorough in referencing his sources. His use of certain terms may challenge readers unfamiliar with the more technical aspects of linguistics. Nevertheless, López Morales has created an exceptional, thought-provoking analysis. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries and bookstores.-Pamela Corante, Los Angeles
¡Despierta!... que la vida sigue. Reflexiones para disfrutar plenamente la vida.
(Wake Up!...Life Goes On. Reflections on Enjoying Life Fully)
Lozano, César.
Mexico/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2010. 135p. ISBN 9786071104786. pap. $13.99. SELF-HELP
Motivational speaker Lozano may not be a household name in the United States yet. But his successful career south of the border includes corporate seminars, weekly TV appearances, and a daily radio show that also airs in Los Angeles, making him relevant to the Hispanic community. His third book gathers commonsense advice to help readers live a more fulfilling life. The author suggests that we meditate daily to recognize the thoughts that are controlling our mind and gives tips on taking command of those thoughts and, subsequently, our actions. Though we'd heard some of this advice before (e.g., "live in the present"), Lozano also usefully invites us readers to explore patterns of behavior that might work against us. For example, he encourage readers to explore the inconsistencies in their lives-their discourse ("I work hard so my children can have all they need") vs. their actions ("Because I am working 12 hours a day my children miss me"), to analyze their personal strengths (instead of trying to be something they are not), and embrace what they cannot change (to be humble and ask for help). The quotes from diverse figures, from Mark Twain to John Lennon, often serve to anchor the message of each chapter, and excerpts works by Leo Buscaglia, John Maxwell, and Eckhart Tolle help illustrate concepts. Easy to read, unpretentious, and thoughtful, this guide will work very well in bookstores and public libraries.-Ximena Diego, Brooklyn, NY
ALSO IN TRANSLATION
FICTION
El rey siempre esta por encima del pueblo.
tr. by Jorge Cornejo. Spain/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2010. 170p. ISBN 9788420406121. pap. $22.99. STORIES
In this collection of nine stories originally published in English in various literary magazines, among them Granta, The New Yorker, Zoetrope, and Esquire. Alarcón again displays his extraordinary talent for storytelling. The stories vary in length from one page to 42 pages but are held together by a single thread: conflict between family members, particularly between father and son. In title story, a 19-year-old leaves his small town for the big city. He is forced to return home by his pregnant girlfriend, then asked by his father to leave again. "República y Grau" ("Republic and Grau," names of streets) narrates the story of a father who rents his son to a blind beggar. "El Puente" ("The Bridge"), the longest tale, tells of family strife, mental illness, and despair. All exceptionally well crafted, with concise and agile narratives, these stories are suffused with violence, corruption, suffering, and poverty, which partly explains why the characters are so pessimistic. Alarcón's War by Candlelight was a finalist of the PEN/Hemingway Prize in 2006, and Lost City Radio won the PEN USA Prize for Best Novel in 2008. Recommended for academic and public libraries, as well as bookstores. [See also Alarcón's Ciudad de payasos, reviewed above.-Ed.]-Liliana Wendorff, Queens Univ. of Charlotte
Room (Habitación).
Emma Donoghue
tr by Eugenia Vázquez Nacarino. Spain/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2010. 379p. ISBN 9788420406619. pap. $TK. FICTION
Five-year-old Jack and his Ma enjoy their long days together, playing games, watching TV, and reading favorite stories. Through Jack's narration, it slowly becomes apparent that their pleasant days are shrouded by a horrifying secret. Seven years ago, his 19-year-old Ma was abducted and has since been held captive-in one small room. To her abductor she is nothing more than a sex slave, with Jack as a result, yet she finds the courage to raise her child with constant love under these most abhorrent circumstances. He is a bright child-bright enough, in fact, to help his mother successfully carry out a plan of escape. Once they get to the outside world, the sense of relief is short lived, as Jack is suddenly faced with an entirely new worldview (with things he never imagined, like other people, buildings, and even family) while his mother attempts to deal with her own psychological trauma. Gripping, riveting, and close to the bone, this story grabs you and doesn't let go. Donoghue (The Sealed Letter) skillfully builds a suspenseful narrative evoking fear and hate and hope-but most of all, the triumph of a mother's ferocious love. Highly recommended for readers of popular fiction. [LJ 8/10]
Cuernos.
(Horns)
Hill, Joe.
tr. by NA. U.S.: Suma de letras: Santillana. 2010. 456p. ISBN 9786071107169. pap. $19.99. FICTION
Ignatius Perrish led a charmed life as the popular son of a wealthy and talented family and the storybook lover of the perfect Merrin Williams. Then, after high school, it all went wrong. Merrin was raped and murdered, her head bashed in, and everyone assumed Ig was the killer, even after he was exonerated. A year after Merrin's death, following a barely remembered night of debauchery, Ig awakens with a pair of three-inch horns growing from his forehead. Along with these come abilities that shock and disgust him but also bring him closer to finding Merrin's real killer. As the plot builds through flashbacks and clever exposition, Ig's true nature reveals itself, and the reader is left questioning the traditional border between good and evil. Hill has written a novel that is all his. Highly recommended. [LJ 2/1/10]
Damon, Almas Oscuras. Cronicas Vampiricas VI
(The Vampire Diaries 6: The Return; Shadow Souls)
Smith, L.J.
tr. by Gemma Gallart. U.S.: Suma de letras: Santillana. 2010. 510p. ISBN 9786070706288. pap. $19.95. FICTION
The evil kitsune twins, Shinichi and Misao, have descended on Fell's Church and inflicted pain and suffering on the community. Even the mighty Damon was tricked into helping them kidnap Stefan and imprison him in the "Dark Dimension." Damon regrets being involved in his brother's demise and agrees to take Elena with him to rescue Stefan from his hellish prison. This trip isn't easy and the riddle-like clues are twisted and confusing. They are joined by Meredith and Bonnie and enter the "Dark Dimension," a place where humans are the slaves of vampires, demons, and kitsunes. Allying themselves with all sorts of characters, they must find Stefan, launch a rescue mission, and somehow get themselves back to Fell's Church. Damon shows his vulnerability by revealing to Elena the true depth of his feelings for her. As they become closer, Elena must come to terms with her feeling for both brothers and where her love truly lies. [Recommended for bookstores.-Ed.]. [SLJ 9/1/10]
NONFICTION
El Cielo es real.
(Heaven Is For Real)
Burpo, Todd with Lynn Vincente.
tr. by Traductores en Red. U.S.: Grupo Nelson: Thomas Nelson. 2011. 185p. ISBN 9781602554382. pap. $9.99. RELIGION
Books on near-death experiences are popular reading, and not only within the Christian community. Burpo, a minister of a Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Nebraska, relates the experience of his four-year-old son, beginning with the misdiagnosis of a burst appendix, which after a week resulted in a serious infection that almost took the boy's life. After a few months, the boy began to describe experiences he had at that time, when the author claims the boy's soul left his body. He entered a Heaven that was joyous, if occasionally somewhat frightening, and met people he could not have known, including a sister who died at birth and a great-grandfather who had passed away 30 years earlier. The boy's descriptions fit a traditional Christian concept of the afterlife, as evidenced by excerpts from Christian scriptures that the father has included. A New York Times best seller, this well-written book will be of interest to believing Christians. Recommended for popular Spanish-language public library collections, as well as Christian and general bookstores.-Mark L. Grover, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT
Esperanzas y realidades.
(Hopes and Prospects)
Chomsky, Noam.
tr. María Isabel Merino. Spain/U.S.: Tendencias Editores: Urano. 2010. 414p. ISBN 9788493696146. pap. $22.95. CURRENT EVENTS
Chomsky, a prolific author in linguistics and political philosophy perhaps best known for his seminal work with Edward S. Herman, Manufacturing Consent, has long been an important figure worldwide. He has been very vocal about his positions on many issues, including such controversial subjects as Israel and Palestine. Here, Chomsky reworks and updates four speeches given in Chile and Venezuela about neoliberalism and globalization in Latin America and includes eight expanded articles on U.S. foreign and domestic policies. As shown by the breadth of his writing and thorough documentation, Chomsky's grasp of political, historic, and cultural issues is astonishing, and he dares to say what many in North America do not. Chomsky is well respected in Latin America, , including by such leaders Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, who recommended one of his books during a speech at the UN, which give this book added appeal. Merino's translation is very well executed. Recommended for all libraries and bookstores.-Sophie Lavoie, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton
Guía para invertir.
(Rich Dad's Guide to Investing)
Kiyosaki, Robert T. with Sharon L. Lechter.
tr. Fernando Alvarez del Castillo. Mexico/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2010. 686p. ISBN 9789708120197. pap. $14.99. FINANCE
An investor, businessman, and motivational speaker with a huge following worldwide, Kiyosaki is the best-selling author of the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" series on financial advice and investment strategies. His latest book to be translated into Spanish is a lengthy, simply written, yet engaging introduction to the world of high-level investing and starting a business. The text is divided into 42 chapters and five phases: mental preparation, types of investors, starting a business, the sophisticated investor's way of thinking, and giving back. Koyasaki promotes the need to generate passive income through investments-creating businesses that can ultimately go public. While he provides some specific and limited information about investing and how to start a business, this is not a how-to book. The value here is in the mindset that it promotes-the focus on creating wealth and the mentality, disposition, and thinking that is needed to make enough money to enter the rarefied world of the sophisticated investor. This book will appeal to the huge number of Latino entrepreneurs and first-time business owners, but it must be cautioned that Kiyosaki has his detractors; his lack of openness about his experience and background have raised credibility questions. Recommended for public libraries with large business collections, academic libraries, and general bookstores.-Yolanda J. Cuesta, MultiCultural Consulting, Sacramento, CA
El mundo en un bocado. Tapas, "mezze" y otros deliciosos aperitivos de todos los continents.
(The World in Bite Size: Tapas, Mezze and Other Tasty Morsels)
Gayler, Paul.
tr. Rocío Ahuja Lacasa. Spain: Blume, dist. by IPG. 2010. 192p. photogs. ISBN 9788480768702. pap. $19.95. COOKING
Gayler is executive chef at the Lanesborough hotel in London and author of several other cookbooks, including A Passion for Vegetables. In his latest, he presents eclectic recipes for small bites from a range of cuisines; Spain, with its abundance of tapas, gets its own chapter, while others focus on the Americas, the Far East, the countries on the ancient spice route, and beyond. Many of the recipes are shown in full-page color photographs. Restaurants featuring small plates are increasingly popular, and there have been other recent books on the topic, but most of them are limited to a single cuisine. [Recommended for bookstores and libraries.-Ed.] [LJ 4/15/06]
Bienestar mental en los adultos con síndrome de Down. Una guía para comprender y evaluar sus cualidades y problemas emocionales y conductuales.
Mental Wellbeing in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges)
McGuire, Dennis & Brian Chicone, M.D.
tr. by Rosario León & Jesús Florez. U.S.: Woodbine House. 2011. 441p. bibliog. glossary. photogs. ISBN 978160613023-0. pap. $29.95. HEALTH
First published in English in 2006, this valuable guide explains common behaviors of people with Down syndrome that may be mistaken for mental illness, such as having imaginary friends, talking to oneself, having troubling communicating and remembering, and tending to repeat things and speak in a monotone. The authors, a physician and a psychologist, founded the Adult Down Syndrome Center at Lutheran General Hospital in Oak Ridge, IL, the first of its kind, which offers integrated care to a population that is growing and living longer. They stress the importance of family and community support in planning living arrangements and choosing appropriate activities and also stress the need for evaluating both mental and physical health and the interrelationship of the two. The second section of the book examines mental illness, including depression and mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, tic disorders and repetitive motion, autism, ADHD, and psychosis, and explains the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for each. Pictures of adults with Down syndrome and their families and case histories provide a personal touch. An appendix contains a glossary, a chart of commonly prescribed drugs and their uses, and a bibliography of English-language resources. This valuable book belongs in all consumer health collections. Highly recommended.-Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Oakland
La biblia perdida. Un analisis de las escrituras hebreas y cristianas no oficiales.
(The Lost Bible)
Porter, J.R.
tr. by Carolina Bastida Serra & Cristobal Barber Casasnovas. Spain: Blume, dist. by IPG. 2010. 256p. illus. ISBN 978848076740. pap. $15.95. RELIGION
The "lost books" of the Bible, those omitted from the canon, provide extensive and indispensable insight into the first millennium C.E., the formative era of both Judaism and Christianity. Porter, a renowned scholar of theology and biblical studies who has been affiliated with Exeter and Oxford universities, reintroduces these books. He starts with a helpful introduction describing how books were selected for inclusion in "official works" and thus sanctioned by various legitimating groups over many years. The writings are divided into two parts, the Jewish pseudoepigrapha and the Christian apocrypha, and then arranged thematically (e.g., by patriarchs, prophets, psalms, and lost years of Jesus). For each literary piece, Porter provides historical context, approximate dates of composition and oldest extant copy, language and provenance, a summary, an excerpt, and correlations with other works. Further boxed explanations and exquisite illustrations from diverse sources enhance the text. It is imperative to note that Porter does not include the Dead Sea Scrolls, instead focusing on books that were attributed or dedicated to a biblical figure. This scholarly but accessible treatment is a highly recommended reference for academic and theological libraries, public libraries where interest dictates, and religious bookstores.-Carolyn Kost, Stevenson Sch. Lib., Pebble Beach, CA
Clint Eastwood. Una retrospectiva.
(Clint: A Retrospective)
Schickel, Richard.
tr. by Rosa María Borras Montane. Spain: Blume, dist. by IPG. 2010. 288p. ISBN 9788498014716. $39.95. FILM
While Clint Eastwood has always been a movie star, it has been remarkable to observe his 60-plus year career shift from dusty cowboy to Oscar-winning director. This book takes the reader through Eastwood's career, from his Spaghetti Western days to his recent critical commercial successes, such as Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino. Schickel is an accomplished film critic and documentarian who penned Eastwood's biography in 1997. Here, he skims over the biographical details and focuses on the films themselves. The text does not cast a heavy critical eye on Eastwood's career. Instead, it celebrates each milestone and gives an information-rich four- to eight-page article on each project with which Eastwood has been involved-no easy task as the highly prolific Eastwood has been involved in 65 films. The book is illustrated with over 300 pictures, including film stills, poster art, and behind-the-screen shots. As a whole it offers great encyclopedic knowledge of Eastwood's oeuvre and will be essential for any Eastwood fan. Highly recommended for public libraries and bookstores.-Laura Torres, Somerville, MA
CLASSIC RETURNS
FICTION
La Caverna.
(The Cave)
Saramago, José.
Spain/U.S.: Punto de lectura: Santillana. 2011. 399p. ISBN 9788466369640. pap. $TK. FICTION
This contemporary urban parable gathers strands of Saramago's skeptical beliefs. Set in a nameless village, the novel tells the story of the potter Cipriano Algor, his daughter, and his security guard son-in law. Their lives are turned upside down when their pottery supply contract with the local store breaks down and the family has to move from the country to the city. This is no stereotypical story of faceless capitalism, though; while society is portrayed as harsh and greedy, the real focus is on the family, whose struggle to survive demonstrates human resilience. Narrated by the potter, his family, and, occasionally, the dog, Saramago's punctuation-light stream of consciousness may some getting used to. However, each character stands out as an individual, and the love shared by the family shines through the portrayal of modern society at its ugliest. While the action is slowed down by this format, the book is strangely compelling and completely engages the reader. Recommended for all academic and public libraries, as well as general bookstores. [See also Saramago's La consistencia de los sueños, reviewed above.-Ed.]-Alison Hicks, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder
NEW TO THE MARKET
FICTION
Nocilla Lab.
(Nocilla Lab)
Fernández Mallo, Agustín.
Spain/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2009. 180p. ISBN 9788420422343. pap. $10.99. FICTION
This last book in Fernández de Mallo's Nocilla trilogy is not as fragmented as his previous works and reads more like a novel. That the main character has the same name as the author and is also a writer makes this novel seem his most personal yet. In the first and best part, Agustín (who narrates) and his girlfriend are making a road trip in Cerdeña, an Italian island, to find the perfect place for what they call their "Project." They've been working on this project for over a year, collecting fragments of novels, pictures, TV series, etc, that they carry in a guitar case. In a poetic style that includes sometimes pages-long sentences, the narrator reflects on how they spent those days looking for the perfect place, how the project started, and how he became a writer. Themes from previous books surface, like a fascination with the artificial (like coca-cola or Las Vegas) and the idea that there is nothing completely unique. In the second part, Agustín and his girlfriend arrive at a hotel that used to be a prison and are served by the owner, also named Agustín and working on the exact same project. The girlfriend flees, and Agustín is left alone, writing the fragments found in the third part of the book. This is a fascinating novel about a writer, the act of writing, and the boundaries of art. Recommended for all libraries and bookstores.-María Elena Cruz, Boston
