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español · català · book reviews · back issues · submission info · BR info · links |
C o n t e n t s short fiction From Locos: poetry interview book reviews |
Welcome
readers and subscribers to our special World Book Day/Sant Jordi Issue, which we would
like to dedicate to Barcelona’s long lost son, Felipe Alfau. Born here in 1902
Alfau immigrated  to the United States in 1914 where he wrote (in English) his two
classic novels: Locos and Chromos, the latter nominated for the National
Book Award in 1990. Alfau was a writer far ahead of his time, experimenting with
postmodern techniques well before Nabokov, Barth and Pynchon -  writers to whom he has been compared. For a look at the man, who sadly
died while this issue was being prepared, and his work, see the BR’s Retrospective. And for a
taste of his writing don’t miss the Prologue and the short story extracted from Locos. Special thanks to Dalkey Archive Press for permission to
reproduce the work. If you don’t already know Alfau, you're in for quite a treat.
Alfau appears in Spanish and French
translations, and the BR is proud to offer a first-ever Catalan
translation of this native son.Another Barcelona native, writer Nuria Amat, is well known to the Spanish reading world, but, curiously, has never been translated into English. We’re delighted to present an English translation at last of a new short fiction piece, and by way of further introducing Nuria we also have an interview, which she squeezed in a couple weeks ago just before leaving for the States on a speaking engagement at St. John’s College and Brown University. Argentina’s Carlos Gardini returns with a second piece for the BR, a beautifully written traditional story. From Argentina too comes short fiction by New York transplant Frank Thomas Smith (available in French as well as Spanish). Frank’s story came in a couple months ago and is one of those that’s really been making the rounds among friends and friends of friends. It’s funny, it’s different, and it puts a new spin on two well-known names that you’d hardly expect to see under the same title. Last of all from the U.S., we have new writer Lee Klein, whose story about a young New Jerseyite at a weekend keg party contains the phrase "extraordinarily sensationally accentuated," which I never thought would pass by this editorial desk, but Lee held his ground arguing for his character’s voice, and I suppose it could be - some kind of New Jersey speak...? Poetry this issue comes from Cuban American Virgil Suarez who we were fortunate in tracking down at Florida State University. We had hoped to have a Nabokov Quiz this issue, but we’ve had to move it to our next one, so stay tuned - a free book of choice goes to the winner. As we are about to send this present issue up into
cyberspace, la Diada de Sant Jordi is soon approaching. This is the day, April 23rd, when
the Spanish exchange books and roses - the Catalan tradition that gave rise to World
Book Day. Here in Catalunya, bookstalls and flower-sellers line the streets in a
gala book fest. Over two-thirds of all the books sold in Catalunya for the year are sold
on this day. (For a peek at last year's contents, click here.)
So, in the spirit of Sant Jordi, here is our special offering for all of you...
Jill Adams, editor The watercolors for each story were done by Danish artist Rebecka
Helweg For more information about the BR, conditions, etc. please see BR info. For submission information please read our guidelines. If you would like to be informed when new issues are available, you can subscribe - all for free - by sending a blank e-m@il to the BR with "Subscribe" or "¿Qué pasa?" in the Subject box and leave the message part blank. Your name will not be used for any other purpose. For any other comments/questions, use a different Subject title. |
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