Distant Relations

by Carlos Fuentes, Prof Margaret Sayers Peden (Translator)

Distant Relations begins in the elegant Automobile club de France as an elderly Count tells a story to the unnamed narrator. But the book does not remain here in the cafe, nor even in France. Instead, as the Count speaks, the story moves across time and space, from Latin America to Europe, from generation to generation. We hear of Hugo, a noted Mexican archeologist, and of his young son, Victor, who were once the Count's houseguests. He tells of their time in France, of their complicated pasts and their uncertain relationships. This is a story of lost memory and failed promises, one about the past's unbending influence on the present. Distant Relations is an ambitious novel whose tale of confused familial relations explodes into one about the conflict between the Old World and the New.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Latin American Literature, Literature, Latin American, Spanish Literature, France

225 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1980

About the author

Carlos Fuentes Macías was a Mexican writer and one of the best-known novelists and essayists of the 20th century in the Spanish-speaking world. Fuentes influenced contemporary Latin American literature, and his works have been widely translated into English and other languages.

Fuentes was born in Panama City, Panama; his parents were Mexican. Due to his father being a diplomat, during his childhood he lived in Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Washington, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. In his adolescence, he returned to Mexico, where he lived until 1965. He was married to film star Rita Macedo from 1959 till 1973, although he was an habitual philanderer and allegedly, his affairs - which he claimed include film actresses such as Jeanne Moreau and Jean Seberg - brought her to despair. The couple ended their relationship amid scandal when Fuentes eloped with a very pregnant and then-unknown journalist named Silvia Lemus. They were eventually married.

Following in the footsteps of his parents, he also became a diplomat in 1965 and served in London, Paris (as ambassador), and other capitals. In 1978 he resigned as ambassador to France in protest over the appointment of Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, former president of Mexico, as ambassador to Spain. He also taught courses at Brown, Princeton, Harvard, Penn, George Mason, Columbia and Cambridge.

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کارلوس فوئنتس در ۱۱ نوامبر ۱۹۲۸ در پاناماسیتی به دنیا آمد. مادرش برتا ماسیاس ریواس و پدرش رافائل فوئنتس بوئه‌تیگر است. پدر وی از دیپلمات‌های مشهور مکزیک است. وی سفیر مکزیک در هلند، پاناما، پرتغال و ایتالیا بود.

دوران کودکی‌اش در واشنتگتن دی.سی. و سانتیاگوی شیلی گذشت. فوئنتس در دانشگاه مکزیک و ژنو در رشتهٔ حقوق تحصیل کرد. او به زبان‌های انگلیسی و فرانسه تسلط کامل دارد.

آثار
* مرگ آرتمیوکروز، ۱۹۶۲
* آئورا، ۱۹۶۲
* زمین ما،‌ ۱۹۷۵
* گرینگوی پیر، ۱۹۸۵
* ملکهٔ عروسک‌ها
* آسوده خاصر، ترجمهٔ محمدامین لاهیجی.
* مرگ آرتمیو کروز، ترجمهٔ مهدی سحابی.
* آئورا، ترجمهٔ عبدالله کوثری.
* سرهیدا.
* خودم با دیگران (به تازگی با نام از چشم فوئنتس) ترجمهٔ عبدالله کوثری.


---
Carlos Fuentes Macías fue un escritor mexicano y uno de los novelistas y ensayistas más conocidos en el mundo de habla española. Fuentes influyó en la literatura contemporánea de América Latina, y sus obras han sido ampliamente traducidas al inglés y otros idiomas.

Fuentes nació en la ciudad de Panamá, Panamá, sus padres eran mexicanos. Debido a su padre era un diplomático, durante su infancia vivió en Montevideo, Río de Janeiro, Washington, Santiago y Buenos Aires. En su adolescencia regresó a México, donde vivió hasta 1965. Estuvo casado con la estrella de cine Rita Macedo de 1959 hasta 1973, aunque era un mujeriego habitual y, al parecer, sus asuntos - que se ha cobrado incluyen actrices como Jeanne Moreau y Jean Seberg, su llevados a la desesperación. La pareja terminó su relación en medio del escándalo, cuando Fuentes se fugó con un periodista muy embarazada y entonces desconocido de nombre Silvia Lemus. Se casaron finalmente.

Siguiendo los pasos de sus padres, también se convirtió en un diplomático en 1965 y sirvió en Londres, París (como embajador), y otras capitales. En 1978 renunció al cargo de embajador en Francia en protesta por el nombramiento de Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, ex presidente de México, como embajador en España.

Reviews

[Moshtagh hosein · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب بر لبه باریکی از خواب و خیال از یک سو،و واقعیت و تاریخ از سوی دیگر قدم میزند،از گذشته ای دور تا ورود خود نویسنده به اثر،مدل دیگری از رمان بی‌زمان،تعریف دیگری از داستان، نه غیر خطی مثل آثار یوسا،نه آنقدر جادویی مثل مارکز و لوپ زمانی در صد سال تنهایی،تک ‌‌و ویژه مثل خود فوئنتس!
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
خویشاوندان دور ، اثر کارلوس فوئنتس ، رمانی بی زمان، در رمز خیال و واقعیت و آمیزه‌ای نامتمایز از بیداری و رویا در میان زنده‌هایی مرده و مردگانی به زندگی بازگشته، است .دو دوست در یک بعد از ظهر آفتابی نوامبر در باشگاه اتومبیل رانی فرانسه ناهار می‌خورند .ضمن صرف غذا دوست سالخورده کنت دو برانلی که عمرش با عمر قرن برابری می‌کند، تجربه‌های تازه‌اش را با دوست جوانتر در میان می‌گذارد، و کلاف قصه در این گفت و گو باز می‌شود . ساختار رمان بیشتر در قالب نقل تجربه‌های پراکنده و گسسته روایتگر قصه است که گاه به گاه جایش با نویسنده عوض می‌شود.

روایتگری که یک جا در “پارک مونسو “دست دوستی پسرکی در انزوا را رد می‌کند و جایی دیگر پیرانه سر برای جبران آن کوتاهی، نا تراشیدگی مردکی خشن و بی ادب را تحمل می‌کند ; مردی که روایتگر، تصویر آن پسرک را در چهره او می‌بیند .در این سیر زمانی طولانی که روایتگر آن را در ملک اربابی “آن ژین له بن “در خاطر مرور می‌کند سیر و سلوکی را در میان خواب و بیداری، و پندار و خاطره تجربه می‌نماید . او همواره گوش به نغمه‌های رازآمیز دارد و به چشم اندازهای جادویی و صحنه‌های از یاد رفته کودکی چشم دوخته است .

[Fardokht Sn · Rating 2 out of 5]

پایان کار هرچه باشد و معنای زندگی ای که به سر برده ام هرچه باشد ، من این لحظه را که در آن آنچه را بیش از همه دوست میداشته ام ، و با این همه فراموش کرده ام ، باز یافتم

[Nelma Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

شاید یکی از دلایل گمنامی این کتاب اینه که تکیه ی زیادی به اعتماد خواننده داره.خواننده باید بتونه در روند کند داستان که تا حدود صفحه ی 150 کتاب ادامه داره دوام بیاره.در 150 صفحه ی اول کتاب چند شخصیت که با نسبتهای دور و نزدیک به هم مربوطند سعی میکنن در سیری از اتفاقات نه با غم از دست دادن عزیزانشون بلکه با غم از دست رفتن خاطراتشون دست و پنجه نرم کنن،آدمهایی که غم خیلی چیزها رو ازشون گرفته و روابطشون رو با بازماندگان به کلی دچار تغییر کرده.قدرت نویسنده رو در اینجا دیدم که ضمن بررسی سوالهای همیشگی انسان در مورد مرگ و زندگی که یک موضوع همه گیره به طور همزمان تاثیر استعمار اسپانیا در مکزیک بر هر دو کشور و ملتشون رو هم به طرزی ملموس و دردآوری روایت میکنه.و اون چیزی که برای من واقعا غیر قابل پیش بینی بود سفر معنوی ای بود که مسیر کتاب ناخودآگاه خواننده رو به سمتش می کشوند و پایانش پر از سوال های جدید برای خواننده و شروع راه مکاشفات جدید شخصی اش بود.
یه چیز دیگه ای که بدون تب و تاب و کاملا عادی به خواننده در این کتاب القا میشد این بود که با دونستن این داستان اتفاقی برای خواننده خواهد افتاد.برای شخص من خیلی جالب بود که برای القای این تاثیر به هیچ وجه از مخاطب قرار گرفتن خواننده استفاده نشده بود.
در نهایت برای هر کتابی که میخونیم و هر ماجرای جدید شاید بشه این جمله رو از کارلوس فوئنتس در خویشاوندان دور نقل قول کرد که:
در تحلیل نهایی هر سفری که ما رفته ایم چیزی بیش از یک جستجو برای مکانی که از پیش می شناخته ایم،مکانی که همه ی عواطف ما،همه ی خاطره های ما را در بر میگیرد نیست.

[Rodrigo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un libro que me hizo preguntarme por qué me gusta tanto Fuentes. Siempre he dicho que es un escritor irregular y por supuesto no me refiero a su calidad. Como en toda su obra Fuentes muestra en este libro un manejo del lenguaje increíble, pero fuera de eso me pareció un libro terriblemente pesado, una verdadera tortura a veces. Perdido, como su personaje Branley, en disgresiones estilísticas, que a veces ni siquiera tienen la belleza de las figuras poéticas que maneja tan bien, nos encaja una historia completamente ilógica, irreal -sin llegar al surrealismo- e increíble. Hizo lo mismo con "Aura", sin duda, pero el resultado es muy, muy inferior. Tanto que a veces me pregunté "¿a quién le importa lo que le pase a Branley o a cualquiera de los Heredia?" Por eso digo que Fuentes es irregular: a veces alcanza la gloria y a veces simplemente se dedica a alardear de lo bien que maneja el Español. Decepcionante.

[Frabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Le relazioni lontane (1980), il mio terzo Fuentes dopo La morte di Artemio Cruz (1962) e Gli anni con Laura Díaz (1999), apprezzati entrambi, è decisamente più ostico, farraginoso. Tra i suoi molteplici temi riporto quello della distorsione progressiva di una storia tramandata: il protagonista Hugo Heredia racconta a un tale Branly, che poi racconta all'amico Fuentes, che infine racconta al lettore... e ognuno ci mette del proprio. Già prima del suo contributo, che rinforza non poco la complessità, Fuentes si esprime così: “Quando Branly terminò il suo lungo racconto delle parole di Hugo Heredia a Xochicalco durante la vigilia di Ognissanti, il suo significato ultimo, come un pezzo di carta gettato in mare, tardò ad affondare nel profondo della mia coscienza; doveva ancora impregnarsi di acqua e di sole, di vapori di iodio e di sale, e di quanto ci permette di trasformare quello che si dice e quello che si sa in qualcosa di più: il destino che ogni parola racchiude ma che, pure, annuncia profeticamente”. Belle parole, queste di Fuentes, da grande scrittore: ma il significato ultimo di quel che ho letto nel suo romanzo, come un pezzo di carta gettato in mare, sta davvero tardando molto ad affondare dentro di me.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the March 1982 review of this book in the NYT "Two-thirds of the way through the novel the reader becomes thoroughly confused as to what in the world is going on." Yup, that's about where I was about to give up, thinking that I was reading in too short chunks, in a drowsy state before going to sleep, but before giving up I decided to read a couple of reviews to see if I couldn't get a better handle on this story.

I felt better knowing the reviewer for the NYT was also confused, and that Fuentes apparently likes to do that to his readers. So I slogged on. The writing is beautiful and lyrical in places, and I generally enjoyed it. While it's obviously a translation, I felt a little at times like was reading it in French. While Fuentes is, of course, Mexican and speaks / writes in his native Spanish, the story mostly it takes place in France, where Fuentes was ambassador for a few years in the 1970s before he quit in protest over another diplomatic appointment he couldn't countenance.

So Distant Relations is a story inside a story, perhaps inside several other stories. It is a complex intergenerational, international dream-myth that is both personal and cultural, touching on themes of colonialism, slavery, manners, art and culture, historical and personal memory, regret, despair, longing, loving and it is very hard to follow, but worth trying nonetheless.

This would be a great book to teach, as it would allow the rich references and personalities to be explored and understood in more depth. This feels like a masterpiece, but one that I don't quite have the training to fully appreciate.

Toward the end of the narrative, in which it becomes clear that Fuentes himself is a character (or two) we've been close to the whole time, there are several quotes about storytelling and narrative that I had to write down, as I am actively engaged in figuring out how to be a better writer myself. I share them here so that anyone who decides not to take on this book can still appreciate some of what makes it such a dreamy, mysterious, intriguing read.

Fuentes to the old man who is relating his story to the author, who will subsequently write it down for us, the reader: "You know better than I where the chance of human destinies ends and the act of literary selection begins," and his elderly companion replies, "Can they be separated?"

"A true St. Martin's Day" which falls on November 11, and is also Fuentes' own birthday and then after 1918 the Saint had to share the day with the celebration of the end of hostilities in World War I, so it's all very real and symbolic and complex, "is the jewel in the crown, a summer in mid-autumn, an unexpected gift for those of us resigned to numb survival in the glacial burrows of a primeval world, the hostile world of wolf against wolf."

A few pages later, "Oblivion is the only death, the presence of the past in the present is the only life."

And from a Mexican character Hugo Heredia, who formerly aristocratic decided he had to find a real job, as an archeologist it turned out, when fortunes changed in his country, "I, a Creole in search of lost grandeur, could find it only among the monuments of my victims' past," in other words the destroyed civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs, not the supposed superior colonial powers of Spain.

Finally, though there is plenty more, and this book bears a second read, perhaps with an historian as an advisor, "Art, you see, and especially the art of narration, is a desperate attempt to reestablish analogy without sacrificing differentiation."

This will take a while to all sink in, and I recommend anyone with patience and a passing familiarity with European history and colonial exploits to give it a try. I think I'll read more Fuentes, something that has been determined by other readers and critics to be more accessible.

[Ricardo Munguia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una de las novelas más confusas que e leído en mucho tiempo, en la que nunca le agarre el hilo en realidad. La historia es interesante y el lenguaje usado es excelente, solo que en la incesante necesidad de combinar los tiempos y las historias del los personajes hacen que todo se vuelve confuso hasta el punto de que todo se volvió irrelevante para mí.

La historia es la de una conversación entre el autor y un hombre llamado Branly, que proviene de una familia con un linaje antíguo y noble. Dentro de esta conversación se nos cuenta la historia de los Heredia, padre e hijo quienes conocen a Branly en México en las ruinas de Xochicalco. Y al aceptar una invitación a Francia, se dedican a buscar a otra persona de apellido Heredia para conocerlo. La historia de ahí se vuelve confusa pues trata de profundizar en la relación de Branly con los Heredia y el pasado de ellos, y llega un punto un poco tétrico donde debería de estar el giro, pero para mí, la historia está tan descarrilada que olvide que estaban en una conversación, olvide cual Heredia era cuál y dejo de importarme un poco la historia.

Sin duda es un libro complicado, y no fue para mí, pero quizá lo que necesitaba era leerlo muy a conciencia. Lo bueno es que es un libro corto, pero lo sentí muy pesado y confuso. No es de mis lecturas preferidas del autor y a pesar de ser de sus obras tempranas no la recomendaría a menos de que seas un lector experimentado que busca una historia que trata de romper los esquemas del tiempo y de la realidad que se está contando. A mí gusto es demasiado ambiciosa, demasiado intrincada para ser disfrutable, pero creo que algún lector más paciente encontrará algo en ella que yo fui incapaz de hacer

[ZaRi]

من معتقدم که وقایعی هستند که فقط چون ما از آنها می ترسیم اتفاق می افتند . اگر ترس ما آنها را احضار نمی کرد ، تو هم قبول داری دیگر که برای همیشه نهفته می ماندند. یقینا تخیل ماست که اتم های احتمال را فعال و آنها را گویی از عالم رویا
بیدار می کند...!

[Giulia Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Romanzo non riuscito, contorto per sembrare complesso, ma in realtà un insieme di incubi o sogni tenuti insieme da una trama che vuol essere significativa del rapporto tra Messico ed Europa, passato e presente, civiltà diverse, colonizzati e colonizzatori ecc. ecc. ecc...Linguaggio altrettanto contorto, che vorrebbe essere suggestivo. Dicono che non sia all'altezza degli altri di Fuentes e spero che sia così, che sia solo un incidente di percorso per eccesso di sicurezza e sottovalutazione dei lettori.

[Ari Aria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing style, you have to like this particular genre, I believe, in order to be able to get through the book, there is something magical in the way the stories, the timeframes, the narratives blend at the point it is hard to tell what is real and what is not.

But.

I was so uninterested in the plot. I had high hopes after the beginning of the story which were not met eventually. I kept reading for the fun of it and, yes, to a point, I wanted to find out how it would end. But I would also be fine with not finding out after about halfway through. Or, in other words, the plot kept disappointing me and this did not change by finishing the book.

I would say, read it for the way it is written, read it for the long sentences and the stream of consciousness, read it for the fun of reading, but don't expect to get an amazing, engaging story.

[Rodrigo Monroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta historia me hace repleantearme si es Carlos Fuentes mi escritor favorito aún. La corta novela cuenta con un manejo del lenguaje fascinante que a veces te hace olvidar la historia que estás leyendo: el diálogo entre Branly y Carlos pasa a segundo plano y la historia con los Heredia pasa a tercero. Esta situación hace que no sea claro en cuanto a la narrativa y puede hacer perder el interés a muchos.
A lo largo del libro hay reflexiones poéticas muy importantes sobre los recuerdos y el olvido que rescatan una historia débil y sin relevancia que se preocupa más por alardear que por contar un buen relato (aplica para Branly y para Carlos) y a pesar de que tiene un giro yo diría curioso, nunca termina de cuajar realmente. Como los fetos viejos del final.

[Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read. Very experimental, very philosophical (which is certainly Fuentes' strongest and most recognisable sign). I was very eager to find anything that would encourage me to give the novel four stars instead of three, but alas, this work has left a confusing aftertaste on my tongue. The concept is intriguing but worth exploring in a longer body of work. I feel like Fuentes tried to delve into too many complex themes in a too narrow space — the result is an overstuffed prose that is sometimes difficult to grasp. Thus, "Distant Relations" undoubtedly shows Fuentes' mastery but cannot be considered one of his best works.

[Carolina Urquidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

No recomiendo el libro. Sin duda, hubo cosas que me agradaron, la historia me pareció interesante y me llevo a reflexionar sobre la memoria y como nos constituye nuestra historia, agradaron los símbolos y detalles repetidos en la historia. Pero es muy confuso, y requiere poner atención. Me parece que es un poco intencional confundirte y sentirte perdido como el protagonista.

[Edgar Orozco · Rating 1 out of 5]

El maestro Fuentes tenía un manejo extraordinario del español y en este libro se luce, pero gran parte de la obra es muy pesada.

En momentos no entendía qué estaba sucediendo hasta el punto en el que la historia se me hizo irrelevante, no me decía nada.

[Txe Polon]

Me cuesta abandonar libros, pero la verdad es que prefiero dejar de dedicar tiempo a esta lectura que no me dice nada.

[Juan Herrera · Rating 2 out of 5]

No es lo mejor del maestro Carlos Fuentes. Una novela muy confusa y pesada.

[Michael Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let your mind flow through the disconnections. Wonderful.

[Daniele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo stile proustiano è presente in questo libro che parla di memorie, rimpianti e sogni. I legami resistono nel tempo e in forme inaspettate. A metà libro potresti annoiarti.

[Valentina Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me hace falta entenderlo por completo pero es muy bueno, hasta diría que es cinematográfico.

[Wen · Rating 3 out of 5]

补记。这本没有读完。我希望富恩特斯的这几本小说也能读中文译本，英译本特别的沉闷，当然也有可能是内容本身有点繁琐细碎，写墨西哥大家庭与欧洲根源之间的若即若离的关系

[Tony Goriainoff]

Bought in Gracia, Barcelona
August 30, 2024

[SurferRosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le relazioni lontane sono quelle che intercorrono (intercorrono? magari in questo caso internuotano) fra Europa e America Latina, relative affinitá-divergenze e portati culturali che gravano sulle spalle degli europei in una certa maniera (la vergogna dello scempio compiuto non sta lí sotto il loro naso) e sulle spalle dei loro "eredi" latinoamericani in un'altra (loro sí ce l'hanno lí sotto il naso).
Le relazioni lontane sono quelle che intercorrono tra infanzia e vecchiaia, quando ancora le conseguenze di un atto omesso quando eri bambino ti si ripresentano sotto forma di scomoda ereditá a ottantatré anni e ti chiedono di rimediare in qualche modo.
Le relazioni lontane sono quelle che intercorrono fra le diverse generazioni di una famiglia, quando un tempo lungo un paio di secoli si appiattisce nel presente per volontá di qualcuno a cui i conti non tornano.
Le relazioni lontane sono quelle che intercorrono fra la lingua come noi la usiamo oggi e come era usata dai nostri avi, con tutti gli spostamenti e slittamenti semantici occorsi nel tempo.
Le relazioni lontane sono quelle che intercorrono fra le parole che noi usiamo per nominare ció che ci circonda e la realtá in cui viviamo, con la quale esse hanno un legame puramente convenzionale.
Le relazioni lontane sono quelle che intercorrono fra me che ho scritto queste parole e voi che le leggete e per colpa mia non potete capire nulla del libro in questione.

[Natalie Petchnikow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traduit de l'espagnol par Céline Zins

Le comte de Branly, quatre-vingt_trois ans, invite le narrateur à sa table pour lui raconter son histoire. Ce sont diverses histoires, en réalité, qui confluent dans un récit unique, tournent autour de Branly et de l'étrange famille Heredia, de souche française, dont une mystérieuse demeure proche d'Enghien attire les descendants. D'auditeur poli, le narrateur devient prisonnier des confidences du vieillard, et même de ses rêves. Il comprend qu'il est l'ultime dépositaire des secrets de sa vie, et que ceux-ci lui révéleront sa propre identité. Lorsqu'il le quitte, "pris d'une extrême triste, à reculons", il a l'impression de prendre "congé pour toujours d'un héros captif, d'un dieu enterré vivant, d'anges noyés. Et la voix de son fantôme l'accompagne.

[Gale · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recently assigned to me in one of my classes. It was interesting. But, I think it's not a book meant for me. I got confused with the storyline. There were contradictions within the book. At the end, when it was revealed that the narrator was Carlos Fuentes, it made me more perplexed. For one, Branly was so adamant on chastising himself that telling the story to Fuentes was a mistake because the story of the Heredia must be contained. But at the end, Carlos said that he was a Heredia. So, I guess, it's a really great novel. But really confusing though.

[Josiah Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the illusions of childhood to the illusions of death, the narrative of life is an illusion that connects the hallucinations of subconsciousness with reality. Fuentes' prose is like the dialogue between birds outside the window of consciousness. His experimentation with narrative coexists with the narrative of deceit and betrayal. Difficult at times to read but the beauty of the phantom words are quite rewarding.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not finish this book as I found it to be a chore to read. I hung in there for about a third of the book but never really engaged with the characters or the story. Even getting through 1/3 of the book took perseverance and determination, something in short supply before falling asleep!

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

So hard to get through. Maybe it's been too long since I studied any literature, or maybe it loses something in translation, but I did not get this at all.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in Spanish. Complex and transcendental. Explores themes of human interconnectedness.

[pjr8888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy:
Translation copyright 1982

[Debbie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly incomprehensible but full of beautiful language and observations. Quotable.