El dilema de Houdini - Norma Lazo
DiscussãoAnd Other Stories: reading Latin American fiction
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1loreleisiren
My very belated thoughts on Norma Lazo's El dilema de Houdini are as follows:
The book centres on three protagonists in Mexico City, all attempting to escape their lives in some way or other. The narrator is trying to escape her grief at losing her partner through therapy and antidepressants. Her closest friend performs magic tricks at a local bar to avoid his overbearing wife, and another friend loses himself in drinking and gambling. Against this plot, Lazo establishes a telling metaphor in the shape of a tiger called Launcelot on the loose in the city, which enters into the story by way of news bulletins, radio announcements and newspapers, casting a long shadow over the city.
I found it a thoughtful, compelling novel which kept me engaged and interested (always a good sign for me when I'm reading in another language!). Lazo's characters are well-drawn, although not overly sympathetic, and their quiet despair and unhappiness is palpable throughout.
One thing that I thought weakened its overall appeal was, as Rosalind has mentioned, her repeated gimmick of listing the drug and dosage every time she takes one. It feels a little cliche, but doesn't detract massively from the fact that this is an enjoyable novel written in spare, economic prose.
I don't have the book with me now, so these comments aren't hugely insightful, but I will add to this as and when thoughts occur to me.
Laura
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