The Adventures of China Iron
A woman's journey through the pampas of Argentina
Gabriela Cabezón Cámara author Iona Macintyre translator Fiona Mackintosh translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Charco Press
Published:14th Nov '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This novel reimagines Argentina's national origin story through the eyes of China, a woman seeking freedom and self-discovery in the pampas.
In The Adventures of China Iron, the narrative unfolds in 1872, immersing readers in the vibrant landscapes of Argentina's pampas. The story centers around China, a young woman who finds herself trapped in a life dictated by her no-good husband. When he is conscripted into the army, China seizes the opportunity to escape, embarking on a transformative journey with her new friend, Liz, a Scottish settler. Together, they navigate the complexities of their surroundings, discovering the beauty and brutality intertwined in the fabric of their emerging nation.
As they travel, Liz becomes a mentor to China, introducing her to the intricacies of the British Empire and the diverse cultures that populate Argentina. Through their adventures, they witness the stunning natural landscapes, rich flora and fauna, and the harsh realities of violence that accompany the quest for national identity. This journey is not only one of physical travel but also an emotional and intellectual awakening for both women.
The Adventures of China Iron serves as a subversive retelling of the iconic gaucho epic, Martín Fierro. Gabriela Cabezón Cámara crafts a narrative that celebrates freedom, love, and the vibrant life of the pampas, all while providing a sharp critique of established national myths. With a blend of humor and depth, this novel invites readers to reconsider the stories that shape our understanding of history and identity.
International Booker Prize (Shortlist)
"A thrilling and mystical miniature epic." —The Guardian
"[The Adventures of China Iron] reminds us, in Cabezón Cámara’s entrancing poetry, how magical and frankly unpleasant it is to live through history." —New York Times
"[The Adventures of China Iron] compels readers to examine critically not only the biases of the myths we celebrate, but also how they seep into our contemporary understandings of nationhood." —LA Review of Books
"Brilliantly translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre, this is a heartfelt, dreamlike paean to Argentina’s past and what might have been had the pampas been left alone." —The Times Literary Supplement
"Cabezón Cámara’s exciting LGBTQ look at pioneers of the pampas makes for a rewarding and subversive treat." —Publishers Weekly
"Shaking loose new possibilities for how we might reshape the present precisely by unsettling something seemingly so settled as the past." —Music & Literature
"Daring." —The Financial Times
"A daring, playful story." —New Statesman
"A wonderful reading experience, filled with light, joy, discovery, friendship, and love." —The Massachusetts Review
"An unexpected ride that delivers on all accounts." —DIVA Magazine
"By disrupting pedagogical nationalist representations, Cámara’s story enables all those places in the margins to re-signify constructs of the Argentine people." —Wasafiri
Best books published in Latin America 2017. —New York Times (Español)
"A transformative adventure, wholly romantic and sublime, at times even supernatural in its message of discovery." —Books and Bao
"A thrilling book that has a little of everything that I look for in a novel." —SubText
"10 Best Translated Books 2019" —Books and Bao
Globetrotting: Your sneak preview of books in translation —New York Times
"It’s moving and intelligent and funny and all of it is fun (so much fun)." —Mark Haber, Brazos Bookstore
"Best books dealing with feminism, sisterhood and queerness" —Pagina/12
"With a touch of whimsy, ‘The Adventures of China Iron’ rewrites a historical narrative and renders spaces inclusive." —Daily Star
"Best Books of 2017" —Los inRockuptibles
"20 Best Latin American books 2017" —El País
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Praise for Gabriela Cabezón Cámara
Silverio Cañada Memorial Prize (Shortlist)
"Queer writing at its most exhilarating." —The Times Literary Supplement
"Cámara’s breakout tale is mind-blowingly good." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A revelation for contemporary literature."" —Andrés Neuman , author of TRAVELLER OF THE CENTURY and TALKING TO OURSELVES
Globetrotting: Your sneak preview of books in translation —New York Times
"Cámara has a powerful voice, one to be taken seriously." —Library Journal
"Cabezón Cámara’s exuberant range of styles truly shines." —Asymptote
"Book of the Year 2009." —Rolling Stone (Argentina)
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- Short-listed for Man Booker International Prize 2020
ISBN: 9781916465664
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
188 pages