Understanding Julio Cortázar

Understanding Modern European and Latin American Literature

by Peter Standish

Understanding Julio Cortázar, the first comprehensive discussion of his work to be published in English in a decade, recounts the varied literary achievements of one of Latin America's most acclaimed and prolific twentieth-century writers. Taking advantage of the perspective allowed by the time that has elapsed since Cortázar's death in 1984, Peter Standish reassesses the Argentinean's oeuvre, including his posthumous publications. There is considerable discussion of how Cortázar, a man whose controversial persona has often colored criticism of his work, handled the tension between aesthetic and political aims.

Standish offers a brief overview of Cortázar's life and a chronological synopsis of his works. Structuring his assessment around metaphors drawn from boxing (one of the writer's special passions), Standish considers Cortázar's plays, stories, novels, political and literary essays and interviews, textual accompaniments to the visual arts, and poetry. Through close readings Standish explores Cortázar's views on literary genres and the creative process. Standish also expounds upon the writer's prominent themes, including the metaphysical anguish of his protagonists as they search for otherness, fail to come to grips with the passage of time, and reject rational and conventional values.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly not a definitive work,nor does it give a much more comprehensive bio of the man I have come to regard as one of the most compelling authors that I have explored.You may therefore choose not to trust anything I have to say here,for quite frankly, I would find JC's laundry list fascinating. The flip side to this, is that nothing will totally satisfy my desire to know more,and this book,while it has cetainly contributed to my understanding of JC's work, and some of the circumstances surrounding certain titles and themes, the life of the man revealed was still sketchy after going over the milestones,and led to even more wondering on my part.

"Cortazar is like an actor who,whatever the role he is playing,cannot help being himself." PS concludes. "All of Cortazars works...respond to a deep seated impulse to explore the self...an 'aesthetics of searching.'....his works strive restlessly towards something that is more authentic,that is 'other. Understanding Cortazar depends on understanding that this process is ongoing,that his writing is an endless refocusing of that search." p197

Well,yeah.

It is his sly playfullness and his acute understanding of human nature that,along with his amazing writing skill, that give JC almost supernatural powers,to take his readers where he has boldly explored.
It is up to us to follow that metaphysical path he had delineated, or retreat, but for any attentive reader, the process of reading will never be the same.