Los Ojos Vacios

This second novel by the acclaimed Basque author of Fuegos con Limon (Lemon Fire, Tusquets, 1996 ) has been compared to Lazarillo de Tormes, a classic picaresque novel by an anonymous 16th-century Spanish author. Antibula, an imaginary European kingdom that is reminiscent of both Austria-Hungary's Balkan outposts and Spain during its civil war, is the home of the young protagonist [during the years 1916 to 1928]. Like Lazarillo, he is illegitimate, but unlike the noble Lazarillo, he is of uncertain heritage. The nameless narrator, the son of a mysterious foreigner and a loving mother, is raised by his mean-spirited grandfather. Throughout this excellent story, the youth awakens to the cruelties and complexities of the world, discovers love, and learns to cope with death. These are familiar themes, no doubt, but what sets Aramburu's work apart is the poetic quality of his language, the rich array of his characters, and his subtle satire. Fascinating reading, this is recommended for all academic libraries, public libraries with Spanish-language collections, and contemporary fiction sections in large bookstores. Nedra C. Evers, Sacramento P.L., CA