This collection of short stories, which was the final collection published while Bolaño was still alive, contains 12 very different stories. In terms of style, they have a broad range, but the mood is often mysterious and dark. The author delves into topics like violence, fear, diaspora, and loneliness. The eerie mood is often spiced with very dark humor and an ironic distance, which is typical of Bolaño. Another significant topic in the collection is literature itself. To Bolaño, literature appears to be a very tangible questions about whether or not Roberto Bolaño, 1953-2003, produced life or death.

About the author:

Roberto Bolaño (1953-2003) grew up in Chile, but moved to Mexico at the age of 15. In 1973, he was in Chile when the army, led by Pinochet, took over the rule of the country. In 1977, he moved to Spain where he lived until his death at age 50.
The writings of Bolaño remain relevant today and there is a growing interest in his works. He is considered to be one of the most important writers in Spanish literature.