Lost Luggage

The spark of magical realism enlivens Punti’s debut novel about four abandoned sons—Christof, Christopher, Christophe, and Cristòfol—who, as adults, learn of each other’s existence after their father disappears. They join forces to search for him but discover it’s tough to track down a stranger: “Only somebody who’s previously appeared can disappear and that’s not the case with our father,” they say. Gabriel Delacruz, their father, lived an itinerant’s life in Franco’s Spain, visiting his lovers and sons in Germany, England, and France when his job as a mover took him there. Punti’s expansive story, written from each son’s point of view and, interestingly, from their joint perspective, mainly tells of how Gabriel met their mothers: Christof’s he seduced when ice shut down the roads outside Frankfurt; Christopher’s, a nurse, came to his aid during a memorable passage to England; Christophe’s he found inside of a wardrobe he was moving; and Cristòfol’s encountered Gabriel at El Prat airport, certain that he was her astrological soul mate. Punti also takes time for forays into the colorful lives of minor characters; while some of those detours feel too long, they impart narrative richness. The result is a mostly successful experiment in perspective, made lively by Punti’s extensive knowledge of the landscapes of Europe. (Oct.)