Cortazar

I was incredibly entranced by all of Cortazar’s stories. I was glad to have read The Continuity of Parks first because it really gave me an efficient idea of what magical realism is. I felt as though I was becoming one with the book; a part of the story. It also gave me a great a sense of what Cortazar is like as an author. I really admire that he is able to fit such incredibly elaborate and magical tales into such a short read.


Reading Our Demeanor at Wakes really hit home for me. The first death I experienced was that of my best friend. He died in a freak car accident coming home from hockey practice when we were sixteen. I was very grateful that so many people showed up to his funeral, but I knew a lot of the students crowding the room were there for entertainment. I remember feeling incredibly angry at the phony cries of popular girls trying to get attention while I was experiencing absolute devastation. I had lost the person I ate lunch with everyday and talked on the phone with every night. They were hypocrites, using the funeral as a way to get the night off of work.

Despite relating the story to such a tragic time in my life, I found sincere humor in Our Demeanor at Wakes. It is so ludicrous- I couldn’t contain my giggles while reading it! The serious themes of hypocrisy, social competition and social control make it that much better; it’s such smart humor. Competition is something I’ve never agreed with and I’ve always found watching others compete to be quite silly. It was beyond obvious that people were competing at my friend’s funeral- who loved Craig more? Whose life is affected most?

After reading The Continuity of Parks and Our Demeanor at Wakes I seriously couldn’t wait to read Axolotl. I think it was my favorite of the three, but I honestly have a hard time deciding. It was so beautiful. When asked if I think the text is a work of art, I’d definitely answer yes, especially to this particular one. Cortazar is so descriptive in Axolotl; I was able to see right into the tank being described. I felt that great high you feel when you’re in an aquarium while reading this.

The idea of anyone or anything suffering makes me weak. I am an incredibly empathetic person, which is a nice thing, but sometimes I can’t bear the sadness. I felt tears come to my eyes reading about the idea of axolotls being sentient, conscious creatures that are unable to share their thoughts. I feel that way when I write (unable to share my thoughts), even writing this now. I have such a hard time putting the dazzling thoughts and ideas in my mind into words.

(A quick side note regarding Axolotl; while reviewing it and remembering that he becomes obsessed with the axolotls I chuckled to myself, because after reading this I myself became obsessed with axolotls! The moment I finished the story I ran to my laptop to Google axolotl. They’re so awkwardly adorable!)

In lump sum, I really learned a lot through Cortazar. First and foremost, I discovered him and magical realism, two topics I was completely unfamiliar with two weeks ago. I also learned a lot about written art; how it’s transformative, and how isolation can be alleviated by art. I’ve always loved reading, but my love for reading was affirmed after reading these stories. They are so full of imagination and really bring the spirit of an entertaining read back into the picture.