Antwerp

Synopsis

Written when Roberto Bolaño was just twenty-seven but withheld from publication for more than two decades, Antwerp is the novel he described as the only one he wrote in complete freedom. Composed of brief, hallucinatory fragments, it drifts through deserted campsites, lonely highways, abandoned hotel rooms, police investigations, fleeting romances, and half-remembered dreams. Plot gives way to atmosphere as images and voices recur like echoes, creating a work that feels both elusive and unforgettable.

Often described as the "big bang" of Bolaño's literary universe, Antwerp contains many of the themes and obsessions that would later define his greatest novels. Mysterious, poetic, and radically original, it offers a rare glimpse into the early imagination of one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century. Translated from the Spanish by Natasha Wimmer.

About the Author

Roberto Bolaño (1953–2003) was a Chilean novelist, poet, and essayist widely regarded as one of the most important literary voices of the late twentieth century. Born in Santiago, he spent much of his life in Mexico and Spain, where he wrote The Savage Detectives, 2666, By Night in Chile, and numerous other acclaimed works. His fiction, celebrated for its ambition, wit, and formal innovation, has earned a lasting place in world literature. This edition is translated by Natasha Wimmer, whose acclaimed translations include 2666 and The Savage Detectives.

Publisher

Picador

Publication Date

September 3, 2024

Format

Paperback

Pages

96

Subjects

Literary Fiction · Fiction in Translation · Chilean Literature · Experimental Fiction · Modern Classics

ISBN

9781250898166