Meet New Books
Book Cover

Bonsai

Save:
Find on Amazon

The novella "Bonsai" by Alejandro Zambra revolves around the intense physical relationship between two young people, Julio and Emilia, influenced by the books they read. The story delves into the psychology of their interactions, portraying a fear that love may be an illusion. The plot is intertwined with tidbits and vignettes, showcasing other dimensions and experiences of the characters outside their love for each other. Zambra's writing style is described as subtle, suggestive, and steeped in irony, with every sentence providing pleasure to the reader.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed with depth, particularly the young lovers Emilia and Julio, whose lives are intricately connected through literature and personal struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by its playful yet poignant prose, employing a self-reflexive style that challenges traditional narrative forms.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the romance and eventual separation of two young university students, set against a backdrop of literary references and personal struggles.

Setting:

The setting encompasses both Chile and Madrid, illustrating the cultural and emotional contexts of the characters' lives.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and concise, reflecting the novella format and engaging readers through its segmented structure.
In the end she dies and he remains alone, although in truth he was alone some years before her death, Emilia’s death. Let’s say that she is called or was called Emilia and that he is called, was calle...

Notes:

Alejandro Zambra is a Chilean writer known for his poetic talent.
Bonsai is Zambra's first novel after two poetry books.
The novella was awarded the Chilean Critics Award for Best Novel in 2006.
Bonsai is often described as a metafictional work that reflects on themes of love and loss.
The main characters, Emilia and Julio, are university students whose relationship evolves around literature.
Zambra's writing style is simple and conversational, yet deeply engaging.
The book explores the unpredictability of life and relationships, likening them to a bonsai.
Emilia's life takes a tragic turn after she moves to Madrid, leading to her demise.
The story opens with hints about the characters' eventual separation, setting a poignant tone from the start.
Bonsai includes references to literary classics, with characters pretending to have read Proust.
Julio works on writing a novel while translating literature but struggles with personal honesty.
The novella is recognized for its emotional depth, even within its concise format.
Readers have noted the book's heartbreaking ending and the way it captures fleeting moments in relationships.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Bonsai include themes of substance abuse, mental health issues, and suicide.

Has Romance?

The book features a medium level of romance, focusing on the romantic relationship between the main characters, Julio and Emilia.

From The Publisher:

"Sublime . . . true and beautiful and moving." - The New York Times Book Review

The landmark first novel of one of the greatest living Latin American writers - now in a sparkling new translation by his longtime collaborator

When it was first published in 2006, then-literary critic and poet Alejandro Zambra's first novel, Bonsai, caused a sensation. "It was said," according to Chile's newspaper of record, El Mercurio, "that it represented the end of an era, or the beginning of another, in the nation's letters." Zambra would go on to become a writer of international renown, winning prizes in Chile and around the world for his funny, tender, sly fictions.

Here, in a brilliant new translation from four-time International Booker Prize nominee Megan McDowell, is the little book that started it all: The story of Julio and Emilia, two Chilean university students who, seeking truth in great literature, find one another instead. As they fall together and drift apart over the course of young adulthood, Zambra spins an emotionally engrossing, expertly distilled, formally inventive tale of love, art, and memory.

Ratings (1)

Loved It (1)

Reader Stats (1):

Read It (1)
 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.