Title: Ghosts
Author: César Aira
First published January 1, 1990
139 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780811217422 (ISBN10: 0811217426)
Rating: 3.6
Overview
The story of Ghosts revolves around a working-class family who has settled down in a construction site. As they go about their daily lives, they all catch glimpses of tall and striking ghosts lingering around their living quarters.
However, it is the teenage daughter who becomes the most intrigued by these mysterious apparitions. She starts asking questions about them that become more and more intense as the story progresses.
The tension reaches a terrifying peak when the mother realizes that her daughter’s life is in grave danger, and she must act fast to save her. Ghosts is a haunting and suspenseful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
César Aira was born in 1949 in Coronel Pringles, Argentina, and has been living in Buenos Aires since 1967. He has taught courses on Copi and Rimbaud at the University of Buenos Aires and on Constructivism and Mallarmé at the University of Rosario.
Aira has also translated and edited books from various countries including France, England, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, and Venezuela. He is considered one of the most prolific writers in Argentina and is widely recognized in Latin America.
He has published over eighty books in Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, and Spain, which have been translated into several languages including French, English, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Greek, Romanian, Russian, and now, for the first time, into English in the United States. One of his novels, , was made into a feature film and was selected as one of Argentina’s ten best books.
Aira is also a regular contributor to the Spanish newspaper . He was awarded a Guggenheim scholarship in 1996, was shortlisted for the Rómulo Gallegos prize in 2002, and has also been shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize.
Editoral Review
Ghostly apparitions may sound eerie and frightening, but César Aira’s book Ghosts tells a different story as it is a sublime tale of love and the afterlife. First published on January 1, 1990, Ghosts has been praised for its unique narrative style and intriguing plot.
César Aira, an Argentine author who is known for his creative writing style and use of surrealism and magical realism in his works. Ghosts is no exception to his style; it explores the relationship between the earthly realms and the supernatural world in a unique way that keeps the reader entranced throughout the entire book.
Set in a small town in Argentina, the story follows the protagonist, Osvaldo, and his lover, Esther. Soon after Esther passes away, Osvaldo encounters her ghost.
Esther’s ghost continually appears to him at odd moments, providing him with loving and gentle company. As Osvaldo grapples with the dreariness of his life, Esther’s ghost helps him come to the realization that he should do anything possible to keep their love alive, even if it means welcoming death.
Throughout the book, Aira effectively employs metaphors and imagery to create an otherworldly atmosphere, making the readers feel like they are a part of the supernatural world. The pace of the story progresses naturally, and the writing style enhances the depth of the characters, particularly Osvaldo’s emotions, as he deals with the loss of Esther and her return as a ghost.
However, one drawback of the book is that the outcome is predictable, but this doesn’t detract from the heartwarming storyline. Ghost is a short book that packs a punch thanks to its well-crafted characters and the unique way it explores the relationship between the living and the dead.
Although the book was first published over thirty years ago, it still has cultural significance and relevance, particularly in the way it examines how humans cope with death. Overall, if you are a fan of magical realism and novels that examine life and death, Ghosts is worth your time.
It’s a beautifully written book with a moving storyline that lingers even after the last page has been turned. I give Ghosts four out of five stars.
