Friday 4 May 2018

Seeing Red - Lina Meruane

Lucina, a young Chilean writer, has moved to New York to pursue an academic career. While at a party one night, something that her doctors had long warned might happen finally occurs: her eyes haemorrhage. Within minutes, blood floods her vision, reducing her sight to sketched outlines and tones of grey, rendering her all but blind. As she begins to adjust to a very different life, those who love her begin to adjust to a very different woman - one who is angry, raw, funny, sinister, sexual and dizzyingly alive. 

Paperback, 176 pages
Expected publication: May 3rd 2018 by Atlantic Books (first published January 1st 2012)
Original Title: Sangre en el Ojo
Fiction / Autobiographical
For review

MY thoughts:
This book is autobiographical, but at the same time she does use fictional events. The author herself had a stroke and then she wrote this book. In first person, and with a character with the same name, except that person goes blind when her eyes start to bleed. But the author herself experienced blindness too and led that lead the way.

But this does seem to be the sort of book that is better read for example in a book club so that you can discuss it with others. Because it is just so personal. We are always in her head.

Or the sort of book that is discussed in a lit class, and then you write a paper about the writing and yada yada. Those things I have forgotten now when I am no longer in uni....yup, it is all forgotten.

Because she is a good writer and she gets under the skin. I can not say a lot about the translation, I mean it is a good translation...I guess. But since I have not read the original I can not know ;)

But it is rather short, and not a lot happens. She goes blind, she has an operation at the end and, yes what was up with that end? Weird and good. And before that she complains about her mother, so yes, it is a personal one.

33 comments:

  1. I always enjoy reading about a person who is willing to share details of his/her life, because you never know if something in the book can make a difference for someone else who's going through the same thing. Like you, I think I wish it was a little longer. Hugs...RO

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  2. I do like books like this so am adding it to my wish list.

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    1. I think this would be a good fit for you :)

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  3. does sound personal o.o and... weird but interesting, great review

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  4. That's an odd unsound blurb. Not sure if I would like it or not.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Honestly, the blurb...I did not feel it had a good pulse in the book

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  5. I like when a writer can get under your skin. I googled the black boxes, it sounds like a software issue on your end but keep me posted. I have folks testing it.

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    1. Hmm, only on your site though, but I will keep you updated :)

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  6. Sounds like an odd but engrossing read. Glad to hear you enjoyed it! :)

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  7. sounds very complex for a short read Blodeuedd

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  8. I agree with you that this is the type of book best enjoyed if you can discuss it with others, it does seem very personal and meaningful.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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    1. Some books I just want to read for me, while some yes works better with others

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  9. Hmm... sounds very personal.

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  10. I don't usually reach for this type of story often, but once in a while, I like the up close and personal. I think I get what you mean about it being book club reading.

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  11. I'm loving the cover for this one! I also like that it's autobiographical with fictional events. I don't think I've ever read anything like that before. Thanks for sharing this! :)

    Do You Dog-ear?

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  12. Yes! And I have forgotten how to...though I always just winged it anyway

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  13. This does sound interesting. I don't think I've seen anything else like it. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart

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  14. At first I thought it was a memoir. But fictionalized? I'll think about reading it.

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    1. A memoir that is fictionalised, hers and at the same time not

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  15. This is new to me. I like that the author took her life experiences and used them on a fictional story. Sounds interesting.

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    1. Still a new story, still her story, she did good

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