Roberto Bolaño's Fiction - by Chris Andrews (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Since the publication of The Savage Detectives in 2007, the work of Roberto Bolaño (1953-2003) has achieved an acclaim rarely enjoyed by literature in translation. Chris Andrews, a leading translator of Bolaño's work into English, explores the singular achievements of the author's oeuvre, engaging with its distinct style and key thematic concerns, incorporating his novels and stories into the larger history of Latin American and global literary fiction.

Andrews provides new readings and interpretations of Bolaño's novels, including 2666, The Savage Detectives, and By Night in Chile, while at the same time examining the ideas and narrative strategies that unify his work. He begins with a consideration of the reception of Bolaño's fiction in English translation, examining the reasons behind its popularity. Subsequent chapters explore aspects of Bolaño's fictional universe and the political, ethical, and aesthetic values that shape it. Bolaño emerges as the inventor of a prodigiously effective "fiction-making system," a subtle handler of suspense, a chronicler of aimlessness, a celebrator of courage, an anatomist of evil, and a proponent of youthful openness. Written in a clear and engaging style, Roberto Bolano's Fiction offers an invaluable understanding of one of the most important authors of the last thirty years.

Review Quotes

[Andrews] examines Bolaño's 'fiction-making system' and ethical patterns with graceful, accessible erudition. The analysis of Bolaño's techniques helps us not only to understand our experience of reading him but also to fathom the writers he resonates with.--Lorna Scott Fox "Times Literary Supplement"

[An] elegantly written literary analysis.--Lisa Locascio "Salon"

A sharp and accessible guide to the literary style and narrative skills of this amazing novelist.-- "Sacramento News and Review"

Andrews is not only the leading translator of Bolaño's work into English but also one of the leading scholars of Bolaño's fiction.-- "CHOICE"

Andrews's book... is an ambitious and insightful take on what is sure to be an exciting area of study in the coming years.-- "Rain Taxi"

Chris Andrews writes very fine prose... This book isn't just a translator's homage to his author (Andrews's affection for Bolano is obvious but does not interfere with his analysis) but an exceptional work of scholarship.-- "The Australian"

In this superb volume of criticism... Andrews, the English translator of ten of Bolaño's books, deftly analyzes the complex themes and narrative layers of Bolaño's fictional universe....An indispensable guide to navigating the rich world of Bolaño's fiction.-- "Publishers Weekly"

Profusely documented and with a thorough bibliography, this full-length critical monograph is a great start to what will, one hopes, be a parade of analytical examinations of Bolaño's works.-- "Library Journal"

The most important contribution to this field of scholarship. The singularity of Andrews's book lies in its sophisticated and subtle reading of Bolano's opus as a whole... Superbly written and meticulously researched.-- "Australian Book Review"

Written in a clear and engaging style, Robert Bolaño's Fiction offers an invaluable understanding of one of the most important authors of the last thirty years.-- "Biblioklept"

About the Author

Chris Andrews teaches at Western Sydney University, where he is a member of the Writing and Society Research Center. He has translated ten books by Roberto Bolaño. His book Lime Green Chair won the 2011 Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize.