I've read a lot of this 'autoficcion' style of novel recently and Meruane's semi-autobiographical novel is a perfect example, drawing on her own experience of temporary blindness.

The style of the book takes a little getting used to. Instead of chapters, Meruane uses headed sections, most only two or three pages at most. At first I found it difficult to read but eventually I got into the story and this technique, whilst jarring, fits with the theme of the book. A forced adjustment. As Lina deals with the potential permanency of her blindness, she begins to question her future purpose. She cannot read and has to listen to audiobooks. How will she write when she connects the process so much to being able to see the words? How will she live her life in New York, away from her family in Chile, if her partner were not there to care for her?

Meruane's writing is brutal and this comes across in the translation to English for the most part. There are a few sentences which jar - a fault though I think of the translation - but overall it works. I would have liked a little more Spanish and there were some sentences that I felt would have been strengthened by a Spanish word or phrase that felt weaker in the English.

I thought this a thought-provoking read, devastating and unique.

Thanks to Readers First for the free copy.

Although it's not my favorite style, Lina Meruane has a solid prose. I could not connect emotionally with the book and its characters, and kinda struggled to get to the end, but it's not a bad book.

" ... and suddenly I understand that this lunch is a goodbye. ... We all get up at the same time and Genaro wraps me in his arms, kisses both my cheeks and my forehead, promises to call me next week, to come visit me, but I know he won't that our friendship has ended in that picturesque restaurant of scavenging seagulls."

" ... and suddenly I understand that this lunch is a goodbye. ... We all get up at the same time and Genaro wraps me in his arms, kisses both my cheeks and my forehead, promises to call me next week, to come visit me, but I know he won't that our friendship has ended in that picturesque restaurant of scavenging seagulls."

Tengo ganas de comentarla mañana en clase, porque creo que no he sabido ver algunas cosas (no pun intended lol).

A mis fans, Marco y Juan: espero que no tengáis pegas… no podéis quejaros esta vez!