This is Bolano’s first and, I feel, his most remarkable novel. he was only twenty-seven when he wrote it but it is the beginning of what ultimately becomes Bolano’s voice. It is an unconventional but brilliant murder mystery. It is a quick read but one of the few novels I read time and time again, always discovering and experiencing new and wonderful nuances. Now in paperback you can enjoy this amazing novel for cheap.
I recently took a break from international fiction to read true American voices -- I started with Sanctuary and couldn't put it down. Faulkner has a powerful understanding of the evil that exists in mankind. There is no justice -- for black or white -- in the south. This is a dark and troubling story yet there are times where the beauty of Faulkner's words make that darkest moments shine.
Perec finished Life A User’s Manual just a few short years before he died in 1982. It is truly a high point to finish such an epic and complete a novel -- not to mention see it published -- and to cap a lifetime of literary genius. Most known before Life was A Void, his funny, witty novel written completely without the letter “e.” Life is structured after a puzzle-maker but expands into the lives and rooms of an apartment block of Paris. after 20 years, Godine has updated this masterpiece (with a beautiful cover as well as corrections to the translation). You will love this book!