The landmark first story collection from internationally acclaimed author Alejandro Zambra, now featuring five additional stories and an introduction by his longtime collaborator, Megan McDowell An early desktop computer becomes the third partner in a doomed relationship; an older brother figure whose father lives in exile imparts hilarious life lessons to his young protégé. A man attempts to quit smoking despite the fact that he’s very good at it; another masquerades as the family man he'll never be. Throughout, Pinochet’s dictatorship casts a long shadow, and men in relationships exhibit their profound capacity for both love and harm. In these unforgettable stories—which span religion, romance, technology, soccer, solitude, and more—Alejandro Zambra unfolds a radical literary reflection on life, relationships, and the tender and brutal dimensions of masculinity in Chile from the 1980s to the present. Intimate and playful, provocative and profound, and brilliantly rendered by National Book Award winning translator Megan McDowell, My Documents a testament to the necessity of literature even—and especially—in times of political and personal crisis.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Alejandro Zambra
Author
Alejandro Andrés Zambra Infantas is a Chilean poet, short-story writer and novelist. He has been recognized for his talent as a young Latin American writer, chosen in 2007 as one of the "Bogotá39" and in 2010 by Granta as one of the best Spanish-language writers under the age of 35.
My Documents
by Alejandro Zambra
Books Like My Documents
If you're looking for books similar to My Documents, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Private Lives of Trees
Alejandro Zambra
A poignant novella exploring intimate family relationships and memory in Chile. The story follows a literature professor imagining potential futures for his wife and stepdaughter. Zambra's signature introspective style delves into personal narratives against a backdrop of political uncertainty. The book reflects on storytelling, imagination, and the fragility of human connections.
The House of the Spirits
Isabel Allende
An epic novel tracing four generations of a Chilean family through political and social upheaval. The story blends magical realism with historical events, particularly focusing on Chile's political transformations. Allende explores themes of family, power, and resistance against political oppression. The narrative provides a sweeping view of Chilean society and personal resilience.
Bonsai
Alejandro Zambra
A novella exploring love, literature, and memory in contemporary Chile. The story follows a young couple's relationship through its intimate and fragile moments. Zambra's minimalist style captures the complexity of human connections. The narrative reflects on storytelling and the ways we construct personal narratives.
Ways of Going Home
Alejandro Zambra
A novel that examines the lasting impact of Chile's dictatorship on personal and collective memory. The narrative intertwines a child's perspective with an adult's reflections on family, history, and identity. Zambra masterfully explores how political trauma shapes individual experiences. The book offers a nuanced look at generational differences and personal storytelling.
By Night in Chile
Roberto Bolaño
A powerful novella examining an individual's complicity during Chile's military dictatorship. The story follows a priest and literary critic reflecting on his life and moral compromises. Bolaño's intense, stream-of-consciousness style critiques intellectual collaboration with oppressive regimes. The book offers a profound meditation on guilt, art, and political silence.
Distant Star
Roberto Bolaño
A dark exploration of art, politics, and moral corruption in post-coup Chile. The novel follows a poet who becomes entangled with the military regime's brutal mechanisms. Bolaño examines how artistic ambition can intersect with political violence. The narrative provides a chilling critique of intellectual complicity during dictatorship.
Fever Dream
Samanta Schweblin
A surreal, psychological novel exploring maternal anxiety and environmental contamination. The story unfolds as a fragmented conversation between a dying woman and a young boy. Schweblin creates an intense, dreamlike narrative that blurs reality and imagination. The book offers a haunting exploration of personal and ecological trauma.
The Remainder
Alia Trabucco Zerán
A novel examining the lingering effects of Chile's dictatorship on a younger generation. The story follows three characters navigating personal and collective trauma. Trabucco Zerán explores memory, loss, and the psychological landscape of post-dictatorship Chile. The narrative blends dark humor with profound emotional depth.
Forgetfulness
Jorge Marchant Lazcano
A novel exploring memory, identity, and personal history in contemporary Chile. The story delves into how individuals reconstruct and understand their past. Marchant Lazcano examines the complex relationship between personal and collective memory. The narrative offers a nuanced look at psychological resilience.
Chilean Electric
Álvaro Bisama
A novel capturing the social and cultural transformations in Chile during recent decades. The story interweaves multiple narratives exploring personal and collective experiences. Bisama examines how individual lives intersect with broader historical movements. The book offers a fragmented yet compelling view of Chilean society.
No account connected — sign in to comment.