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Frigyes Karinthy era el columnista más popular de Budapest, en 1936, cuando se enteró de que tenía un tumor cerebral y que debía operarse de urgencia para sobrevivir. El único cirujano que podía hacerlo estaba en Suecia. Una colecta le permitió llegar a Estocolmo y enfrentar el bisturí. Con el desparpajo y la agudeza que lo caracterizaban, Karinthy contó paso a paso la experiencia a sus lectores, a través de su columna semanal en la prensa. Meticuloso y alucinatorio, burlón y emocionante, egocéntrico y universal, su libro es simultáneamente una novela de intriga y un caso clínico, un viaje al fondo del miedo y una bitácora de la resistencia, el chisporroteo de un espíritu brillante y el anticipo del derrumbe del humanismo que Europa padecería poco después.
“Decidí ser neurólogo por un libro que leí a los quince años. Ese libro fue después mi modelo, cuando yo mismo me puse a escribir. Se llama Viaje alrededor de mi cráneo y lo considero una obra maestra, el mejor retrato autobiográfico que he leído en mi vida sobre un viaje al interior del cerebro.” OLIVER SACKS
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1936
This was the exact opposite of Kaulbach’s picture which had so frightened me as a child. There everything was weird, unpredictable, turbulent and menacing. Here every one who was not asleep was engaged in some monotonous, unbroken occupation. Their movements were as regular and predictable as the whir of a machine. In consequence, even those who shouted or barked like dogs were in no way alarming. You felt that they were merely doing their duty and acting a part for your benefit, like workers when the manager makes a tour of inspection. As soon as you closed the door behind you they would relax again.
‘Have you heard what’s wrong with Frici Karinthy?’
‘Yes, I did hear something, but it isn’t…?’
‘What d’you mean, it isn’t…? He’s as good as done for.’
‘Then don’t let’s talk about it! It’s dreadful, the things you hear…’ But, as he walked on, his step became lighter and more elastic. He whistled a snatch or two and wagged his head. ‘So that’ll be another one gone!’