Parts, pieces
Today I come with the book Zatak, written by Irene Pujores and translated by Amaia Apalauza; although I do not do it on other occasions, today I want to dwell on the cover image. We'll see a picture of Itsaso Arizkuren showing us the moment before a meal and picking up the table; pieces of uneaten bread, chicken bone without bouncing well, some nuts cortices, a couple of pistachios that nobody wanted to eat and a cup that hasn't given the last sip to the coffee. That is, parts of a life.
The book, composed of 21 stories, has used the characteristics of this literary genre perfectly: they are compact and short texts, there is a sudden change of direction in the situation that presents itself and cause an impact on the reader (often wonder and even doubt, terror, anguish, etc.). However, a style of its own will appear that I found original and alive in many approaches. Irony, the use of black humor will condition the tone of the entire book.
We have no lines to refer to all the texts, so I have chosen three or four as a snack and excuse. The title story opens the collection: Zatak. The fall of a child in the arms takes advantage of the fear caused to the protagonist to speak of fragility and vulnerability. It did not happen: a collection tells us the situations in which the relentless are doomed to failure, and even read as failures. The story is effective, I think with the installation of the idea of failure it accuses the society that wants to drive the ideology of success. And the strategy of repetition increases anguish. The age of the questions is an interview about death, composed of questions asked by a child for innocence and answers from a tired adult. Death is a recurring theme in the book, although it does so in different places and voices.
Uxue Apaolaza mentions in her portrait that the first torpe reading asked for a more dosed rereading and writes that the second reading has been more fun. I agree with him. In my case the completion of the book at first reading has not been an easy task. Not because I didn't care, but because the stories asked me for more than one reading. And attention. Carefully, it's a book to read open ears and attentive eyes. On the second lap, though, I enjoyed it.
Decisive seconds
Manu López Gaseni
Beste, 2024
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You start reading this short novel and you feel trapped, and in that it has to do with the intense and fast pace set by the writer. In the first ten pages we will find out... [+]
When the dragon swallowed the
sun Aksinja Kermauner
Alberdania, 2024
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Puntobobo
Itxaso Martin Zapirain
Sowing, 2024
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The title and cover image (Puntobobo, Wool Bite and Rag Doll) will suggest mental health, making the point and childhood, but more patches will be rolled up as the book... [+]
Itsasoa bete urre
Dani Martirena
Irudiak: Ana Ibañez
Txalaparta, 2022
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Liburu honetara barneratzen den irakurleak sentsazio ugari izango ditu. Deigarria da azaleko letren urre kolorea eta zuritasuna, goialdean ageri den... [+]
Migranteak
Issa watanabe
1545 argitaletxea, 2024
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Adania
Shibli
Translation: Aitor Blanco Leoz
Igela, 2024
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During these days, an Israeli soldier is bombarding hospitals, schools, Palestinian refugee camps with drones as if it were a video game, while in the West we see on... [+]
Fun Home. A tragic family
history Alison Bechdel
Txalaparta, 2024
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Fun Home. Alison Bechdel is known for the first publication of the graphic novel A Tragic Family Story (2006), although he himself participated in several... [+]
PLEIBAK
Miren Amuriza Plaza
Susa, 2024
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Book Non sense
Edward Lear
Translation: Juan Kruz Igerabide
Denonartean, 2024
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The writer and illustrator Edward Lear published this work in 1846. As Igerabide says in the prologue of the book, “nonsense humor, absurd... [+]
Hetero
Uxue Alberdi
Susa, 2024
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Guardasola wants rain
Patxi Zubizarreta
Illustrations: Irrimarra
Ibaizabal, 2024
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30 years ago Patxi Zubizarreta published the book Marigoringoak hegan; J. M. Illustrated by Lavarello and by the hand of the Catalan publisher... [+]
Eyes on the horizon
Writer: Illustrator Miren Agur
Meabe: Ane Pikaza
Elkar, 2020
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Miren Agur Meabe has published several texts and books. He's worked with all the literary genres: children's and youth literature,... [+]
Barrengaizto
Beatrice Salvioni (Translation:
deceit Fernando Rey)
Txalaparta, 2024
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PELLOKERIAK
Ruben Ruiz
Illustrations: Joseba Beramendi, exprai.
Elkar, 2022
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Rubén Ruiz offers a new work of short stories. They are not micronarratives, because the stories, although they can be read independently, have a... [+]
Memet
Noemie Marsily and Isabella
Cieli For Centos, 2022
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