The Old Man Who Read Love Stories - Softcover

Sepulveda, Luis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1900850699 ISBN 13: 9781900850698

Publisher: Arcadia Books, 2002

Synopsis

Published to coincide with the release of a major feature film starring Richard Dreyfuss, this is a simple but haunting tale of an old man who becomes the mediator between the ravages of Western civilisation and the vengeance of the threatened natural world. Poignantly highlighting the tragedy that lies at the core of man's attempts to destroy the Amazon rainforest in pursuit of greed, this beautifully modulated novel has already won three major prizes and been published in over fifteen countries. 'A bitter and endearing fable' - Ursula K. Le Guin

About this title

Review:

'If Ernest Hemingway had been a magic realist he might have been able to write a story like this bitter and endearing fable. Luis Sepulveda is yet another strong and original writer from Chile' - Ursula K. Le Guin

Synopsis:

In this simple but haunting tale of an old man who becomes the mediator between the ravages of Western civilisation and the vengeance of the threatened natural world, the great exiled Chilean writer Luis Sepulveda poignantly highlights the tragedy that lies at the core of man's attempts to destroy the Amazon wilderness in pursuit of his own greed. This beautifully modulated novel has won major literary prizes and has been published in more than twenty countries. When white prospectors are killed by a female oeclot crazed with grief at the slaughter of her cubs, there is only one man in the remote village of El Idilio who possesses the skill and knowledge to hunt her down. Antonio Jose Bolivar Proano has lived with the native Shuar and learn the ways of the jungle. The lore he has absorbed tells him that it is sacrilege to slay the noble beast of the forest, but as a member of the encroaching white race he knows that the animal must die. Nature is out of balance. Antonio Jose Bolivar has another secret: he can read and he has a passion for love stories - so long as they involve great suffering and have a happy ending.

The dentist, on his twice-yearly visits to El Idilio, brings a fresh supply of romances, and as the old man loses himself in the world of star-crossed lovers he can forget the painful barbarity of his fellow men. As he sets out on the mission only he can fulfil, Antonio Jose Bolivar leads us on a journey that will enchant, enthral and remain long in the memory.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arcadia Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1900850699
• ISBN 13: 9781900850698
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 126