The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares
I had intended that my read of this classic novella by Adolfo Bioy Casares would coincide with Spanish Lit Reading Month (and I believe there might have been a group read somewhere). I *did* read it in July, but didn’t manage to review it in time; nevertheless, as it’s definitely going to be one of my books of the year, it certainly deserves some discussion!
I first wrote about Bioy Casares when I reviewed the spoof crime he wrote with wife Silvina Ocampo – “Where There’s Love, There’s Hate”. I loved the book, and I’ve been keen to explore more of both authors’ works (Ocampo’s NYRB short story collection is sitting on Mount TBR). However, for some reason “Morel” called to me first, plus it was nice and slim, so I picked up a copy for July. The book comes highly recommended, with Borges calling it a masterpiece of plotting, but oddly enough the blurb on the back gives little away…
The book is narrated in the first person, and we never know that individual’s name. The location is an island in Polynesia and the narrator appears to be hiding from something; he’s a fugitive, in effect, but we don’t know what from. But he becomes aware of others on the island and begins to keep a diary record of events. The appearance of the new people causes a tremor in him, and conflicting emotions take hold: he’s afraid of meeting them in case they give him away to the authorities, but longs for contact, particularly when he becomes entranced with the beautiful Faustine. However, things are not quite as they seem; the behaviour of the newcomers is repetitive, and Faustine in particular seems to go through the same actions every day. But suddenly the visitors disappear; the structure of the buildings seems fluid; there is a strange piece of machinery in the bay, which the narrator cannot make sense of; and when the visitors return their behaviour and perceptions seem inconsistent with his.
To say any more about this perfect little novella would ruin the impact, and it’s so hard to discuss without spoilers – I already fear I may have said too much! “The Invention of Morel” is one of the cleverest, most thought-provoking and most enjoyable books I’ve read in ages. It’s short enough to read in one session (and I really recommend you do so) and it just leaves you breathless. Is it science fiction? Romance? Thriller? Mystery? A bit of all those, really, but something unique in itself. I’m not going to say anything else, despite wanting to discuss it in depth; because I feel this is a book you should approach with no preconceptions (which I’m happy to say I did) and simply read it for the joy of a work that will take you to unexpected places and leave you meditating on the meaning of our perceptions of reality. This was a rare five-star read for me and I loved it!
(As an aside, when I looked the book up online after reading it, I found a fascinating piece here about the translation and editing of this book. So it seems this might not be the complete text of Bioy Casares, which is frustrating – oh, to be multilingual….)
Aug 07, 2015 @ 08:23:36
Wonderful! I treated myself to this little novella as part of my post-TBR20 mini-splurge and am looking forward to it immensely. It all sounds very intriguing! Would it work for a book group, do you think? Perhaps alongside something else as it’s a short read?
Aug 07, 2015 @ 08:26:13
I think it would certainly give a book group plenty to discuss! Might be fun to read alongside WTLTH – both are slim and although the subject matter is quite different you could compare styles (plus it would give you a good excuse to re-read WTLTH!) 😀
Aug 09, 2015 @ 09:11:19
I like your thinking there!
Aug 07, 2015 @ 11:38:44
This book!
I’ve been meaning to read it for a good while now – I was looking for a book that closely resembles Jorge Luis Borges’s work.I remember how both Garcia Marquez and Borges raved about it.Apparently it is a sort a masterpiece.
Do you think it is as beautiful as they say?
Aug 07, 2015 @ 12:57:53
It *is* a masterpiece in my view – I don’t give many books on LT 5 stars but I did this one. I need to go back and read it again it’s so good – worth a few pounds of anyone’s money and it’s slim so you can definitely read it in one sitting! 🙂
Aug 07, 2015 @ 12:16:28
This sounds excellent one for the wishlist.
Aug 07, 2015 @ 12:56:51
Definitely – short but brilliant! 🙂
Aug 07, 2015 @ 13:19:14
I read this a little while a go but wasn’t too impressed. I think it wasn’t what I was expecting but it’s one I plan to re-read.
I think there was a film based on the novel but can’t think now what it was called. I thought it read a bit like a screenplay.
Aug 07, 2015 @ 13:25:38
The film I was thinking of was ‘Last Year at Marienbad’ but I think it was only influenced by the novel. A quick look on Wikipedia reveals that there have been French & Italian films.
Aug 07, 2015 @ 13:35:36
Yes, I think I remember reading that the film was influenced. It *is* quite filmic, but nonetheless wonderful in my view!
Aug 07, 2015 @ 13:35:03
I loved this very much, but I approached it knowing nothing about the plot at all, which might have helped! 🙂
Aug 09, 2015 @ 03:07:49
I have the Ocampo, and didn’t realize she was Casares’ wife. Nice that they’re published by NYRB! Love the idea that we don’t know what the hero’s hiding from. This sounds very strange, but great.
Aug 09, 2015 @ 13:08:59
It *is* strange but very, very wonderful – so good, I want to go back and read it again!
Aug 09, 2015 @ 14:03:08
NYRB are fast becoming my favourite publishers. They’re wonderful and their list includes so many new discoveries. The only problem is trying to restrain myself as I’m on holiday in NY at the moment and their books are everywhere!
Aug 09, 2015 @ 14:12:51
That must be torture – they’re such lovely books….. 🙂
Aug 09, 2015 @ 14:17:01
It’s so hard!
Aug 27, 2015 @ 10:54:52
Sold! This sounds like a ‘must-read’. It’s going on my wish list this very minute!
Aug 27, 2015 @ 11:56:30
It’s amazing – hope you love it! 🙂
Oct 12, 2015 @ 07:14:51
Dec 31, 2015 @ 07:25:29
It has been, again, as if she did not see me. | Pechorin's Journal
Jul 17, 2017 @ 14:12:37