El Tunel

Despite revealing the crime and the perpetrator in the very first line, this brief but densely packed book doesn't fail to sweep readers along in a voyeuristic dive into one artist's obsession and final descent into insanity. From the beginning, a sense of tragedy permeates the narrative. When Mar\xEDa Iribarne is irrevocably touched by one of Juan Pablo Castel's paintings, the noted Argentine artist instantly pursues her fanatically. Despite their eventual affair, Castel's turbulent and passionate quest for Mar\xEDa's love is untenable, ultimately leading to a fit of jealous rage, her savage demise, and her husband's suicide. In the end, death becomes the only release from Castel's single-minded struggle. Originally published in 1984 and acclaimed as an existential classic, this remains one of the most influential Argentine books of the 20th century. This latest edition includes a brief biography of Sabato, an interview from 2001 that details various influential experiences from his 97 years, as well as ten textual based questions to aid further analysis. The extra material makes this book ideal for a Spanish-language book club, though it cannot be considered a critical edition. Recommended for large public libraries. Reviewed by Alison Hicks, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder