Ariadna Al Laberint Grotesc

by Salvador Espriu

One of the defining texts of twentieth-century Catalan fiction, written by one of its most innovative and cherished writers, Salvador Espriu’s Ariadne in the Grotesque Labyrinth is a collection of thirty-four short stories in which the twists and turns of action, character, and place are as winding and sumptuous as the legendary maze of its title. Originally published in 1935 in the midst of great countrywide political and social upheaval, these stories are a mirror, a grotesque mirror, held up to Catalan and Spanish society. Infused with a deep sense of mythic power, blending social realism with lush modernist experiment, Ariadne in the Grotesque Labyrinth is a triumph of style. Perhaps best known for his poetry, Espriu’s rich lyricism and highly evocative use of the Catalan language are here brought to life in the poet Rowan Ricardo Phillips’s remarkable English-language translation of a classic of world literature.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Spain

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine Flann o'brien being born a Catalan, writing more poetry than prose, loving his Greek myths and feeling pretty miserable. An important work from a people whose literature has never been given the proper attention.

[Geoff]

Look at the cover on this one! Wow! Gorgeous.

[Josephine Ensign · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting introduction (for me) to Catalan literature, although many of Espriu's cultural and historical references were lost on me. I loved his use of language (and languages--he inserts gypsy 'Calo').

[Elena Riera Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Ariadna al laberint grotesc’ és un recull de trenta-dos contes de Salvador Espriu escrit el 1935 i revisat diverses vegades per l'autor. Algunes de les narracions són novel·les curtes com ‘Tereseta que baixava les escales’ o ‘Conversió i mort d’en Quim Federal’ i altres són molt breus i tenen un caràcter de paròdia. A l’obra apareixen els escenaris emblemàtics de l’obra d’Espriu: Lavínia (Barcelona) i Sinera (Arenys) i s’alternen històries de personatges de diverses classes socials, però el que presideix és la decadència moral, intel·lectual i econòmica de tots ells. La decadència agermana tots els personatges que transiten per aquest laberint grotesc que és la vida.

[Solange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Culte però feixuc de llegir,tot i ser relats breus.

[Bill Hsu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure what to make of these little tableaus and rituals. But the language is interesting, and most of the pieces have an odd charm.

[Gynee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genial.