There Is No Such Place

by Tim Compton

There Is No Such Place is a novel by acclaimed Mexican writer Ignacio Solares and translated into English by Timothy G. Compton. Set in the remote and inhospitable mountains of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, it tells the story of a young priest, Lucas Caraveo, who spends three remarkable days in San S¿stenes, an extraordinary Utopian community. Most of the town's inhabitants have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses, and have fled civilization to confront death without fear or dread. Surrounded by Tarahumara Indians and drawing upon their ancient outlook on death and human relationships, the village of San S¿stenes has a unique economic and spiritual harmony, despite the harsh physical environment. The town's leader is either a self-aggrandizing, twisted, charismatic, dangerous outcast, or a spiritual, economic and social visionary. In this refreshing yet odd and isolated locale, Caraveo struggles to make sense of his own value system, meets intriguing people, encounters astonishing, highly charged circumstances, and anguishes over whether he will ever be allowed to leave. The original Spanish version of this novel received the Mazatl¿n prize for Mexican literature in 2004.

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Fabián Tapia Quintero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fue un buen libro. Es el primero que leo de Solares y me ha dejado una muy buena impresión por la narración tan pulcra del autor. Sin embargo, siento que la trama se enrevesó demasiado y no sé si el recorrido valió la pena.

[Antonio Rubio · Rating 3 out of 5]

César Caraveo es un jesuita, escritor frustrado y con un miedo irracional (cotidiano) a la muerte. Cuando llega a San Sóstenes, un lugar a donde la gente va a morir voluntariamente, descubre que la muerte puede ser un motivo para la felicidad, el festejo y los bailes.

Simple y sin muchas pretenciones. Destacan los testimonios de los moribundos, quienes exploran diferentes perspectivas ontológicas de la idea de la morir en paz.

7/10

[Eliza Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first bit hard to get into. The story sort of lulls you into interest by half way through. The book is a little over 100 pages so don’t give up! It’s left me thinking and analyzing about a lot, story wise and life wise.

[Ernesto Pérez-castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una utopía. Un viaje a un lugar que anhelamos y tememos a la vez. Un sueño, una alucinación. Una realidad apabullante. Todo y nada de esto a la vez. Un libro difícil de explicar, que conviene mejor leer simplemente. Una búsqueda para dignificar a la muerte. Un intento por abandonar la idea del valle de lágrimas, que poco bien nos ha hecho.