Women and Power in Argentine Literature: Stories, Interviews, and Critical Essays (Texas Pan American Literature in Translation Series)

The astonishing talent of Argentine women writers belies the struggles they have faced--not merely as overlooked authors, but as women of conviction facing oppression. The patriarchal pressures of the Per?n years, the terror of the Dirty Wars, and, more recently, the economic collapse that gripped the nation in 2001 created such repressive conditions that some writers, such as Luisa Valenzuela, left the country for long periods. Not surprisingly, power has become an inescapable theme in Argentine women's fiction, and this collection shows how the dynamics of power capture not only the political world but also the personal one. Whether their characters are politicians and peasants, torturers and victims, parents and children, or lovers male and female, each writer explores the effects of power as it is exercised by or against women. The fifteen writers chosen for Women and Power in Argentine Literature include famous names such as Valenzuela, as well as authors anthologized for the first time, most notably Mar?a Kodama, widow of Jorge Luis Borges. Each chapter begins with a "verbal portrait," editor Gwendolyn D?az's personal impression of the author at ease, formed through hours of conversation and interviews. A biographical essay and critical commentary follow, with emphasis on the work included in this anthology. D?az's interviews, translated from Spanish, and finally the stories themselves--only three of which have been previously published in English--complete the chapters. The extraordinary depth of these chapters reflects the nuanced, often controversial portrayals of power observed by Argentine women writers. Inspiring as well as insightful, Women and Power in Argentine Literature is ultimately about women who, in D?az's words, "choose to speak their truth regardless of the consequences." CONTENTS 10 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 14 INTRODUCTION 18 1. Elvira Orphée 36 The Author and Her Work 38 Conversation with Elvira Orphée 42 "Justice Shall Be Done" 49 Publications and Translations 55 2. Angélica Gorodischer 58 The Author and Her Work 60 Conversation with Angélica Gorodischer 63 "How to Succeed in Life" 69 Publications and Translations 82 3. Marcela Solá 84 The Author and Her Work 86 Conversation with Marcela Solá 88 "Natural Paradises" 98 "Kind's Silence" (Excerpt from El silencio de Kind) 101 Publications and Translations 104 4. Luisa Valenzuela 106 The Author and Her Work 108 Conversation with Luisa Valenzuela 113 "Tango" 128 "The Key" 131 Publications and Translations 136 5. Tununa Mercado 138 The Author and Her Work 140 Conversation with Tununa Mercado 143 "Combatant Love" 149 "Delirious Love" 150 Publications and Translations 154 6. Alicia Dujovne Ortiz 158 The Author and Her Work 160 Conversation with Alicia Dujovne Ortiz 162 "The Blond Madonna" (Excerpt from Eva Perón: A Biography) 173 "White, Black, Red" (Excerpt from Eva Perón: A Biography) 174 Publications and Translations 176 7. Liliana Heer 178 The Author and Her Work 180 Conversation with Liliana Heer 182 "Red Summer" 190 Publications and Translations 197 8. Liliana Heker 200 The Author and Her Work 202 Conversation with Liliana Heker 204 "Far Away" 212 Publications and Translations 226 9. Alina Diaconú 230 The Author and Her Work 232 Conversation with Alina Diaconú 235 "The Evil Eye" 244 Publications and Translations 247 10. María Kodama 250 The Author and Her Work 252 Conversation with María Kodama 254 "Leonor" 263 Publications 272 11. Cristina Siscar 274 The Author and Her Work 276 Conversation with Cristina Siscar 279 "Hoop, Thread, and Canvas" 288 "The Bra" 291 Publications and Translations 292 12. Ana María Shua 294 The Author and Her Work 296 Conversation with Ana María Shua 299 "The Spinal Column" 308 "Death as a Side Effect" (Excerpt from La muerte como efecto secundario) 317 Publications and Translations 319 13. Alicia Kozameh 324 The Author and Her Work 326 Conversation with Alicia Kozameh 328 "Impression of Heights" 340 Publications and Translations 353 14. Esther Cross 356 The Author and Her Work 358 Conversation with Esther Cross 361 "The Recipe" 370 "Appearances" 372 Publications and Translations 379 15. Ana Quiroga 382 The Author and Her Work 384 Conversation with Ana Quiroga 385 "A Little Bit Farther" 392 Publications 393 The astonishing talent of Argentine women writers belies the struggles they have faced--not merely as overlooked authors, but as women of conviction facing oppression. The patriarchal pressures of the Perón years, the terror of the Dirty War, and, more recently, the economic collapse that gripped the nation in 2001 created such repressive conditions that some writers, such as Luisa Valenzuela, left the country for long periods. Not surprisingly, power has become an inescapable theme in Argentine women's fiction, and this collection shows how the dynamics of power capture not only the political world but also the personal one. Whether their characters are politicians and peasants, torturers and victims, parents and children, or lovers male and female, each writer explores the effects of power as it is exercised by or against women.
The fifteen writers chosen for Women and Power in Argentine Literature include famous names such as Valenzuela, as well as authors anthologized for the first time, most notably María Kodama, widow of Jorge Luis Borges. Each chapter begins with a "verbal portrait," editor Gwendolyn Díaz's personal impression of the author at ease, formed through hours of conversation and interviews. A biographical essay and critical commentary follow, with emphasis on the work included in this anthology. Díaz's interviews, translated from Spanish, and finally the stories themselves--only three of which have been previously published in English--complete the chapters. The extraordinary depth of these chapters reflects the nuanced, often controversial portrayals of power observed by Argentine women writers. Inspiring as well as insightful, Women and Power in Argentine Literature is ultimately about women who, in Díaz's words, "choose to speak their truth regardless of the consequences." Gwendolyn Díaz. Includes Bibliographical References.