Complete Works and Other Stories

Be the first to write a review

Overview

Augusto Monterroso is widely known for short stories characterized by brilliant satire and wit. Yet behind scathing allusions to the weaknesses and defects of the artistic and intellectual worlds, they show his generous and expansive sense of compassion. This book brings together for the first time in English the volumes Complete Works (and Other Stories) (Obras completas [y otros cuentos] 1959) and Perpetual Motion (Movimiento perpetuo 1972). Together, they reveal Monterroso as a foundational author of the new ...
See more details below
This Hardcover (1st ed) is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

Augusto Monterroso is widely known for short stories characterized by brilliant satire and wit. Yet behind scathing allusions to the weaknesses and defects of the artistic and intellectual worlds, they show his generous and expansive sense of compassion. This book brings together for the first time in English the volumes Complete Works (and Other Stories) (Obras completas [y otros cuentos] 1959) and Perpetual Motion (Movimiento perpetuo 1972). Together, they reveal Monterroso as a foundational author of the new Latin American narrative.

"Monterroso's microcuentos defy social and literary categories in this collection of brilliant satires that combine the first English-language versions of Obras completas y otros cuentos (1959) and Movimiento perpetuo (1972). Corral's 'Before and After Augusto Monterroso' and Grossman's competent translations make this volume an excellent introduction to one of Latin America's greatest living writers. Highly recommended for classroom and general use"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
These clever stories from an author born in Honduras of Guatemalan and Honduran heritage offer one surprise after another, although, as with many collections, readers may come to anticipate the surprise. ``Mister Taylor'' is a Boston native who travels to the Amazon and begins exporting shrunken heads back home, inspiring huge demand. Brother Bartolom Arrazola tries to use his scientific knowledge to escape from Indian sacrifice, not realizing that Mayans are more than knowledgeable about such things, in ``The Eclipse.'' The brevity of these stories is often a surprise in itself. ``The Dinosaur'' consists of a single sentence, and ``Perpetual Motion 1981'' is not much longer; it is a Mbius strip of a story that lives up to its title. ``Flies'' introduces an obsession with flies that permeates the second half of the book, comparing the insects with the punishing Eumenides and Furies. And throughout the collection, Monterroso writes about the process of writingmost successfully in ``Leopoldo (His Labors),'' a story about a hapless writer that includes the hilarious journal he hopes to use for inspiration (``Tuesday the 12th Today I got up early but nothing happened to me''). Writers aren't supposed to write about writing, and probably someone has decided that stories should be longer than eight words. Or that flies are not fit for discussion. Monterroso's work is a welcome reminder of the futility of preconceptions. (Jan.)
Library Journal
Born in Honduras in 1921 and residing in Mexico since 1944, this talented essayist/fabulist/aphorist/ enjoys flouting genre constraints. His knack is for creating ordinary/unusual characters like the American headhunter in the Amazon jungle who exports shrunken heads back to the United States, or the first lady of a Latin American country who rushes around like a lunatic giving poetry readings. His world is one where poetry can impoverish even the richest spirit, the belts with which drunken men beat their wives are made especially for that purpose, the habit of reading books is diminished by the acquisitive habit of buying books, and flies, along with love and death, are the third great theme of life. "The essay about the story about the poem about life is perpetual motion," he philosophizes, and the perpetual motion of his prose selection here is rich in Saki-like irony, the peeling away of veneer, insight, and compassion. Recommended for larger public libraries.Jack Shreve, Allegany Community Coll., Cumberland, Md.
Booknews
A no-nonsense introductory text for health care students. Presents an introduction to general psychology with an emphasis on application in health promotion and preventative care. The authors include topics such as: self-image, learning development, perception, memory, stress, loss, and pain. The chapters are peppered with case examples and exercises for group and individual study. Distributed by Taylor & Francis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780292751835
  • Publisher: University of Texas Press
  • Publication date: 1/28/1996
  • Series: Texas Pan American Series
  • Edition description: 1st ed
  • Pages: 170
  • Product dimensions: 5.83 (w) x 8.79 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Table of Contents

Before and After Augusto Monterroso
Mister Taylor 3
One Out of Three 10
Finished Symphony 15
First Lady 18
The Eclipse 29
Diogenes Too 31
Leopoldo (His Labors) 43
The Concert 59
The Centennial 62
I Don't Want to Deceive You 65
Cow 71
Complete Works 72
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)