Call Me Magdalena
A gripping exploration of identity and existential questions
Alicia Steimberg author Andrea G Labinger translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of Nebraska Press
Published:1st Sep '01
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
A weekend getaway turns into a gripping mystery in Call Me Magdalena, where identity, morality, and existential questions intertwine.
In Call Me Magdalena, readers are drawn into a captivating blend of eroticism, mystery, and existential inquiry. Set against the backdrop of a ranch near Buenos Aires, a group of students attending a mind control class expect a tranquil weekend. However, their retreat quickly spirals into chaos filled with startling revelations, a furtive intruder, and the looming specter of murder. The narrative centers on Magdalena, whose shifting identities and unpredictable nature keep both the characters and readers guessing about her true self.
Through the lens of a murder mystery, Alicia Steimberg explores deeper themes of morality, identity, and existence. As Magdalena recounts the events of the weekend, she frequently changes her name, reflecting the complexities of her character and the fluidity of identity itself. Steimberg's sharp dialogue and wit enliven the story, inviting readers to ponder profound questions about gender and the nature of reality.
Call Me Magdalena is not just a tale of suspense; it is an eccentric exploration of the human condition. The book delves into Magdalena's challenging childhood as an Argentine Jew, her philosophical doubts, and the intricate dance between the self and society. With its rich narrative and layered themes, this novel, which won the 1992 Planeta Prize, is both intriguing and thought-provoking, making it a standout in Steimberg's oeuvre.
"Steimberg's simple and evocative prose distinguishes this 1992 Planeta Prize-winning novel about the quest of a young Argentine woman to understand her history and her heritage. The granddaughter of Russian Jews who emigrated to Argentina, and the daughter of parents indifferent to Judaism who embrace Argentine society, she is in a kind of cultural limbo, caught between one world she cannot forget and another she wants to embrace."—Publishers Weekly
"All sorts of genres are imperturbably parodied in this witty, prizewinning 1992 novel from the Argentinean author of Musicians and Watchmakers. . . . Intricate, sensuous, and frequently hilarious: very much like a really good Luis Buñuel film. Steimberg is one of Latin America's best writers."—Kirkus Reviews
"Labinger's thoughtful, fluid translation…makes available to an English-speaking audience the most important work within the Argentinian author's fictional oeuvre."—Shelley Godsland, Bulletin of Hispanic Studies
ISBN: 9780803292826
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 170g
137 pages