Title: Faces in the Crowd
Author: Valeria Luiselli
First published April 28, 2011
148 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781847085061 (ISBN10: 1847085067)
Rating: 3.61
Overview
Amidst the bustling streets of Mexico City, a woman finds herself caught in a life she cannot fully embrace nor let go. Her days are spent dwelling on memories of the past; of the lovers and strangers she once knew and the poets and ghosts who once roamed her neighborhood.
Amidst these musings, she fixates on one figure from her youth – Gilberto Owen – a Mexican poet who lived on the periphery of the Harlem Renaissance. As she writes a novel about her time in a New York publishing house, she brings Owen to life on the page; a solitary figure haunted by the ghostly image of a woman traveling on the subway.
The lines between their lives blur as their stories intertwine, forming a single elegy of love and loss that spans decades. Faces in the Crowd is a haunting tale of the weight of memory and the enduring power of love.
About the Author
Valeria Luiselli, a Mexican native born in 1983, spent her childhood in South Africa. She’s a talented writer whose novels and essays have been translated into various languages, and her work has been published in notable sources such as the New York Times, Granta, and McSweeney’s.
She’s tackled diverse projects, including writing a ballet libretto for Christopher Wheeldon, which was performed by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center in 2010. Additionally, she created a sound installation for the Serpentine Gallery, which was designed for pedestrians in London.
Luiselli also wrote a novella divided into installments for workers at a juice factory in Mexico. She currently lives in New York City.
Editoral Review
Valeria Luiselli’s Faces in the Crowd is a multifaceted work of fiction that showcases her unique storytelling style. Published in 2011, the novel blends various themes, genres, and perspectives to create a captivating and unconventional narrative.
Luiselli is a Mexican author who has garnered critical acclaim for her works of fiction, essays, and journalistic pieces. Her writing style is poetic and introspective, often exploring the intersection of art, politics, and identity.
Faces in the Crowd is no exception, showcasing her impressive skill in crafting a story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. At its core, Faces in the Crowd is a novel about identity, memory, and the power of art to shape our sense of self.
The book is divided into two distinct narrative strands, which are intricately interwoven throughout the text. The first follows the story of a Mexican expatriate in New York, who is struggling to reconcile her past and present selves.
The second is a historical account of a Mexican poet and novelist, who is grappling with his own artistic impulses and political beliefs. The novel is set against the backdrop of Mexico City, a city that is a character in its own right.
Luiselli masterfully evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the city, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative. The cultural and historical significance of the city is also explored, highlighting its complex layers of identity and influence.
Faces in the Crowd is a novel that requires close attention and patience from the reader. The narrative structure is non-linear, with the timeline and perspectives shifting frequently.
However, this complexity is a strength of the book, allowing Luiselli to explore the nuances of memory and artistic expression. The characters are fully realized, with their flaws, desires, and fears laid bare for the reader to see.
The book is not without its flaws, however. Some readers may find the narrative structure confusing or frustrating.
Additionally, the historical sections of the novel can feel detached from the rest of the narrative, making it difficult to fully engage with the characters and their experiences. Despite these limitations, Faces in the Crowd is a novel that demands to be read.
It is a masterful work of fiction that explores themes of identity, memory, and art in a unique and compelling way. It will appeal to readers who enjoy thought-provoking, intellectually stimulating works of fiction that challenge their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Overall, Faces in the Crowd is deserving of high praise and recognition. It is a complex and challenging read, but one that is deeply rewarding for those who are willing to engage with it fully.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read.
