Two Heroes

Alejo Carpentier (1904-1980)

Novelista, ensayista y musicólogo cubano, que influyó notablemente en el desarrollo de la literatura latinoamericana, en particular a través de su estilo de escritura, que incorpora todas las dimensiones de la imaginación —sueños, mitos, magia y religión— en su idea de la realidad.

Is there any wonder he's a hero? And why, oh why have so few Norteamericanos read his work? It's been translated, and though the translation has to lose some of his inventions, it's still fabulous reading. I'm recommending The Lost Steps and The Kingdom Of This World for starters. I want everyone to experience, marvel and enjoy his idea de la realidad.



And then there's Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986). His total output is small, and someone has written it comes to less than a page a month for his life. But it's so completely extraordinary. It's all must read. I'm recommending The Aleph And Other Stories as a starter. These are small, jewel like works, and each can explode your mind.

And, of course, you don't have to buy these works on line. Remember: we want to support our local booksellers.