Idols and underdogs : an anthology of Latin American football fiction

An anthology of Latin American football fiction Eleven stories, one from each country in the South American World Cup qualifying group, plus Mexico (following the precedent set by the Copa América). Idols and Underdogs includes some of the most prestigious names in Latin American literature. A hymn to the jogo bonito, these short stories demonstrate, in stark contrast to its European counterpart, just how connected Latin American football is to its roots in the backstreets, barrios and favelas. Including Juan Villoro (Mexico), Edmundo Paz Soldán (Bolivia), Ricardo Silva Romero (Colombia), Sérgio Sant'Anna (Brazil), Sergio Galarza (Peru), Selva Almada (Argentina), Carlos Abin (Uruguay), Roberto Fuentes (Chile), Miguel Hidalgo Prince (Venezuela), José and Hidalgo Pallares (Ecuador), and Javier Viveros (Paraguay), this is a who's who of Latin American fiction. Also contains author interviews, charting personal views on football and its intersections with politics, literature, and wider culture. Idols and Underdogs is an English translation of Por amor a la pelota: once cracks de la ficción futbolera. Translated by George Shivers, Shawn Stein and Richard McGehee. "This book takes us back to those streets where footballers are born, and vividly shows us that glorious continent where football is sometimes still part of the community, rather than looking down on the community, charging fortunes. Yes, it has many imperfections. It's often chaotic, unpredictable, corrupt, infuriating. But to me it's somehow more real. These stories feature amateur and semi-professional football, as well as professional teams where the players are living anything but the star lifestyle. The characters here may be idols, but they're not superheroes, they're underdogs, and as any good literary writer will tell you, that's far more interesting to read about."--Pages 4-5 Foreword -- Rodge Glass Prologue in the form of a literary challenge -- Shawn Stein and Nicolás Campisi Argentina -- Selva Almada Bolivia -- Edmundo Paz Soldán Brazil -- Sérgio Sant'Anna Chile -- Roberto Fuentes Colombia -- Ricardo Silva Romero Ecuador -- José Hidalgo Pallares México -- Juan Villoro Paraguay -- Javier Viveros Perú -- Sergio Galarza Uruguay -- Carlos Abin Venezuela -- Miguel Hidalgo Prince.