Imagining Argentina

by Lawrence Thornton

“Remarkable . . . deeply  inventive . . . Thorton has imagined Argentina truly; his  inspired fable troubles and feeds our own intriguing imagining.”— Los Angeles Times

Imagining Argentina is set in the dark days of the late 1970's, when thousands of Argentineans disappeared without a trace into the general's prison cells and torture chambers. When Carlos Ruweda's wife is suddenly taken from him, he discovers a magical In waking dreams, he had clear visions of the fates of “the disappeared.” But he cannot “imagine” what has happened to his own wife. Driven to near madness, his mind cannot be taken imagination, stories, and the mystical secrets of the human spirit.

Praise for Imagining Argentina

“A harrowing, brilliant  novel.” — The New Yorker

“A  powerful new novel . . . Thorton seems to have wedded  his study of such writers as Borges and Marquez with thy his own instinctive gift for metaphor, and  in doing so, created his own brand of magical realism”— The New York Times

“ Imagining Argentina  is a slim volume filled with beautiful writing. It is an exciting adventure story. It is a haunting love story. And it is a story for all  time.” — Detroit Free Press

“The writing is crystalline, the  metaphors compelling . . . Its central theme is universal.” — The Philadelphia Inquirer

“In a time when much North American fiction is contained by crabbed realism, Thorton takes for his material one of the bleaker recent instances of human cruelty, sees in it the enduring nobility of the human spirit and imagines a book that celebrates that spirit.” — The Washington Post Book World 

“A powerful first  novel and a manifesto for the memorializing power of literature.” — The New York Times Book Review

“A  profoundly hopeful book.” — The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Novels, Literary Fiction, School, Literature

214 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 1987

Reviews

[Will Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are forced to live in a nightmare, you survive by realizing that you can re-imagine it, that some day you can return to reality.

Lawrence Thornton - image from Simon & Schuster

Imagining Argentina is a very rich book considering its modest length. It tells of Carlos Rueda, a writer, who has an unusual gift. He can see what has happened to disappeared people when asked by those close to them. His ability allows him to see that his wife, a political journalist, is still alive even after years as a captive of the generals. In a beautifully told tale, Thornton show us how the junta affected individual lives, families, communities. What is real and what is imagination? Using the magical realism of South American literature, the author imbues his tale with images and events beyond the realm of normal life. It is a moving and beautifully written novel, content and form in wonderful combination.

Review first posted - 2008

[Maziyar Yf · Rating 3 out of 5]

لارنس تورنتون ، نویسنده آمریکایی ایست که در سه گانه ای به حکایت تلخ آرژانتین و آنچه در آن در دهه های پایانی قرن گذشته ، پرداخته . اولین جلد از سه گانه او که تصویر آرژانتین نام دارد ، در ایران با نام سوگ نامه بوئنوس آیرس و توسط نشر خوب منتشر شده .
جنگ کثیف آرژانتین: دورانی از وحشت و سرکوب
جنگ کثیف دوره‌ای از خشونت و سرکوب دولتی بود که در آرژانتین بین سال‌های ۱۹۷۶ تا ۱۹۸۳ رخ داد. در این دوران، رژیم نظامی به رهبری خورخه رافائل ویدلا، به بهانه مبارزه با کمونیسم و خرابکاری، اقدام به سرکوب بی‌رحمانه مخالفان سیاسی، فعالان حقوق بشر، و اقلیت‌ها کرد . تخمین زده می‌شود که در این دوران بین 30,000 تا 40,000 نفر ناپدید شده یا به قتل رسیده باشند .
رژیم نظامی از روش‌های خشونت‌آمیزی مانند شکنجه، قتل‌ ، ناپدید کردن و بمب‌گذاری برای سرکوب هرگونه مخالفت سیاسی، از جمله چپ‌گرایان، فعالان حقوق بشر، روزنامه‌نگاران و حتی دانش‌آموزان و معلمان استفاده می‌کرد ..
شکنجه و تجاوز ابزاری رایج در جنگ کثیف بود. رژیم از انواع مختلف شکنجه‌های جسمی و روانی برای سرکوب مخالفان و گرفتن اعتراف از آنها استفاده می‌کرد. بسیاری از قربانیان در مراکز شکنجه مخفی که به عنوان مکان‌های امن شناخته می‌شدند، مورد شکنجه قرار می‌گرفتند .
سرقت نوزادان در طول جنگ کثیف آرژانتین
سرقت نوزادان یکی از جنایات هولناکی بود که در طول جنگ کثیف آرژانتین توسط رژیم نظامی رخ داد. تخمین زده می‌شود که 500 تا 1000 نوزاد از مادرانشان که زندانی سیاسی بودند، ربوده شده باشند. این نوزادان سپس به خانواده‌های حامی رژیم یا به زوج‌های نظامی بدون فرزند داده می‌شدند .

نویسنده برای شرح آنچه بر آرژانتین گذشته از سبک رئالیسم جادویی استفاده کرده ، قهرمان داستان او ، کارلوس که در طول داستان ، همسر و دخترش ربوده می شوند ، می تواند افراد بازداشت شده را ببیند و نحوه بازداشت ، شکنجه ، مرگ و یا فرار آنان را برای بازماندگان شرح دهد . تورنتون از این توانایی جادویی کارلوس استفاده کرده و رفتار خشن نظامیان با شهروندان را نشان می دهد ، رفتاری که با بی رحمی های غیر قابل باور در بازداشت افراد ، شکنجه هایی مانند جریان برق و یا کشیدن ناخن ، تجاوز های وحشیانه ، انداختن در رودخانه یا دریا و سرانجام اعدام و به ندرت آزادی فرد همراه بوده .
نویسنده پریشانی ، تشویش و دلشوره بازماندگان را هم به تصویر کشیده ، افرادی که ساعتها ، روزها و هفته ها منتظر برگشتن فرزند یا همسر خود از دانشگاه یا تائتر و یا هر جای دیگر بوده اند ، انتظاری که گویی تمامی ندارد . بسیاری از این افراد هرگز از سرنوشت عزیز ناپدید شده خود آگاه نشدند .
هم چنین نویسنده ، قهرمان داستان خود را همراه با مادران میدان مایو ، زنانی که هر پنجشنبه بعد از ظهر در میدان مایو، میدان اصلی شهر بوئنوس آیرس، تظاهرات می‌کردند و خواهان بازگشت فرزندانشان بودند همراه و هم گام کرده و به این ترتیب تلاش کرده تا از رئالیسم جادویی اندکی دور شود .
سوگ نامه بوئنوس بوئنوس آیرس داستان ساده و سر راستی دارد ، گرچه نویسنده تلاش کرده تا با استفاده از رئالیسم جادویی و سفر میان حال و گذشته وخیال و واقعیت ، به داستان خود جذابیت بیشتری دهد اما تلاش او را نمی توان چندان موفق دانست .
استفاده از رئالیسم جادویی هم گرچه ایده جالبی بوده و می‌توانست به غنی‌تر شدن داستان کمک کند، با این حال، در سوگ نامه بوئنوس آیرس، این عناصر به طور کامل با یکدیگر ادغام نشده و گاه حس مصنوعی و غیرواقعی به خواننده القا می‌کنند.
با این وجود ، اگر هدف نویسنده را ترسیم فضای خفقان‌آور آن دوران و رنج‌ مردم تحت ستم بدانیم ، کتاب تورنتون را می توان به طور نسبی موفق دانست .

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Even now, six years after the generals loosened their hold on Argentina, after their manicured hands were pried away from the delicate white throats of the disappeareds and the doors of certain buildings were closed and locked, even now Carlos Rueda's gift retains its mystery. If, in Buenos Aires, the supernatural were woven into the daily lives of people, it is in the Amazon where natives believe numinous spirits invade the birds and beasts, his accomplishments would be easier to discuss. But we have long been hostile to the things of the spirit, less amenable to them than the rocky stretches of Tierra del Fuego are to a sense of security. Our city is like a sophisticated dowager whose soul feeds on cynicism, a place where the mere mention of the unknown and unknowable occasions peals of bitter laughter. And yet it was here that night after night Carlos Rueda entered the darkness where our people disappeared, spinning words around ghosts and specters until sometimes the people only he could see stepped forth from his imagination into the astonished arms of loved ones. It is all as quick and close as memory, and I want to open memory now, part the curtains upon the fearful, hopeful faces of those who came to the garden of Carlos' house in Calle Cordova because they had nowhere else to go."

And that is the introduction to the powerful book Imagining Argentina by Lawrence Thornton filled with magical realism and metaphor. This was a dark period in Argentina from 1977 to 1983 when people deemed by the regime to be subversive were kidnapped, most never to be heard from again. But a handful of people spoke out, ironically the only resistance came from women, especially a group of women who marched in the Plaza de Mayo in full view of the Casa Rosada wearing white kerchiefs to symbolize their rage and sorrow as they carried signs demanding the return of their loved ones. When visiting Buenos Aires in 1981, I vividly remember looking down to the Plaza from my hotel room and seeing the mothers of the disappeared in their silent march of protest carrying signs with names and photographs of their loved ones, chilling.

This beautiful tale is narrated by a retired journalist, Martin Benn. He tells us the story of his friend Carlos Rueda. When his wife and and subsequently his daughter are taken, Carlos discovered that he had special powers when, night after night Carlos Rueda entered the darkness where our people disappeared, spinning words round ghosts and specters until sometimes the people only he could see stepped forth from his imagination into the astonished arms of loved ones.

It is through this beautiful story narrated by his friend Martin Benns that we learn the mysterious tale of Carlos Rueda and the plight of the Argentine people told in magnificent and haunting prose.

"And so, with the memory of that green car before me, of the deaths of Pepe and Marianna, of Angela restored to her grandparents, it is time to take a stand about Carlos Rueda, about his stories and their impossible powers. Something beyond our understanding took place which I must bear witness to, something so remarkable that I wonder even now what it means to our conception of reality, for the indisputable fact is that in the darkness of our Latin Night and Fog Carlos Rueda found babies, men, women, even whole families. Is it any wonder, then, that I call his gift a mystery?"

[Joselito Honestly and Brilliantly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The material is rich with dramatic possibilities: Argentina during the dark days of military dictatorship in the late 1970s when thousands disappeared, abducted and killed for opposing, or just being critical, of the military regime.


While I was reading it, for unknown reasons, I got this feeling that the author is constantly fighting off a personal inadequacy so that he keeps on failing to bring to a bursting point the heart of his readers which is how such a book should be to make it a good read. That is why I had time to notice trivia like a snide innuendo he made against the church (remembering that the present pope came from Argentina and had been criticized for allegedly not standing up to the powers-that-be during those years of los desaparecidos) and that the vehicle of choice here for the abductors was the "green Falcon." I wonder which car manufacturer carried this brand, the Falcon? In Mario Vargas Llosa's The Feast of the Goat (set during the long, brutal reign of the dictator Trujillo of the Dominican Republic) it was the Volkswagen Beetle which was the dreaded chariot of death. Good that during both times they didn't have cheap vans or SUVs yet. Otherwise, they would have made abductions of more people efficiently.


The principal protagonist here had a journalist wife who was taken after writing a critical article about young students who had been kidnapped en masse earlier. Thereafter, he discovered, after trying to find his missing wife and failing to do so, that he has some psychic powers, that he can actually dream about the fate of some of those who had likewise disappeared and foretell whether they would come back alive or whether they had died. But even this, and the subsequent abduction of his only daughter, failed to make the novel take off.


Much praised (see its blurbs) and award-winning (1987 Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award), but I don't care.

[António Dias · Rating 2 out of 5]

Iniciei esta leitura a um ritmo e com uma disposição agradável, tão fluido me pareceu o texto. No entanto, depressa comecei a entediar-me sem conseguir perceber muito bem porquê, pois a história tinha potencial e o cenário - a Argentina no tempo da ditadura militar - era do meu interesse.

Acontece que o livro está mal escrito ou mal traduzido (ou então os dois). Nunca estive na Argentina mas nota-se que, mais do que passar a visão que um habitante local tem, naquele momento histórico, do que acontecia ao país onde vivia, o autor nunca descola da visão de um norte-americano a olhar para o sul pobre do seu continente, despejando meia-dúzia de chavões para dar a ideia de saber do que fala.Esta opinião vem-me depois de ler Borges, Cortázar, Allende, Sabato ou Benedetti, autores que conseguem captar a essência do espírito da América do Sul.

Mas ainda que dê de barato este aspecto, li em diversas resenhas que esta era uma outra versão do 'Realismo Mágico'. Poupem-me! O Realismo Mágico nada tem a ver com isto. Ou então este é o Realimso Mágico da loja dos trezentos. É preciso desconhecer ou nunca ter percebido nada de Garcia Marquéz para associar o movimento (que constrói todo um universo) a este livro, só porque um personagem imagina (antevê) o que acontece às vítimas.

Por último, as alterações de cenário e de circunstância são tão repentinas, tão sem enquadramento que transformam a história numa manta de retalhos. Não se perde a sequência (o autor tem sempre a história agarrada) mas parece andar um pouco aos solavancos imaginativos, sem harmonia.   

Em resumo: oscilei entre as três estrelas pelas passagens de interesse e uma estrela pela pintura postiça que este livro nos tenta impingir: ficaram as duas estrelas porque o tédio, apesar da reduzida dimensão da obra, não atingiu o ponto de me fazer desistir ou bufar de cada vez que pegava nela. Lê-se, mas prova-me de que não basta um bom enquadramento e uma boa história para se fazer um bom livro: é preciso saber contá-la, e talvez cada história peça uma forma mais adequada do que todas as outras para ser transmitida.

PS: Curioso como gasto mais linhas para dissertar sobre um livro de que não gostei muito do que sobre os tantos em que acerto na leitura...

[Verba Non Res · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vergonzoso. Puede haber quien critique la premisa, por considerar que banaliza lo que fue un hecho histórico y político muy grave, pero este no es mi caso. Me interesa lo sobrenatural, o la experiencia de lo sobrenatural, como último reducto de la resistencia política (por ejemplo, el caso del Taki Unquy), y eso me llevó a tomar la mala decisión de ver la película, protagonizada por Antonio Banderas y Emma Thompson, y, muchos años después, a agarrar este libro. En ambos casos, no es la manera de enfocar el tema lo que falla, sino un desconocimiento fundamental del tema y del contexto que se pone continuamente en evidencia. Al lector extranjero esto le pasará desapercibido, pero, como argentino, me resulta alternativamente ofensivo y ridículo. Por empezar, me cuesta creer que esta historia transcurre en mi país. Lawrence Thornton se lanzó a escribirla sin más que un puñado de referencias superficiales, nombres de lugares que menciona continuamente, como la “Calle Cordova”, “La Boca” o “las pampas” (un término que absolutamente ningún argentino usa para referirse al campo). Los personajes llevan nombres latinos genéricos, y algunos muy desinformados, como Emilia Lagoda, Maresa Rosas o Felicite Barbazon (me recuerdan a los nombres generados al azar de los Tropico). Por supuesto, aunque el libro está escrito en inglés, los personajes deslizan de vez en cuando un señor o señorita, para mostrar que son latinos (clásico signo delator de malos escritores). Lo que es peor, estos personajes no hablan ni se comportan ni sienten como argentinos. Podrían cambiarse los nombres por otros y tendríamos una distopía ambientada en cualquier otro país, incluso en un Estados Unidos alternativo. De forma igualmente superficial se trata el aspecto histórico y político de la novela. Todo se reduce a una vaga idea de “todo estaba bien y un día llegaron unos dictadores malos” y a la propuesta de vencerlos con la fuerza de la imaginación. Una historia rebajada que es más difícil perdonarle a un autor extranjero, sobre todo a un ciudadano del país que abonó la dictadura en cuestión, y muchas otras. Como cabe esperar, la novela carece también de cualquier profundidad psicológica, y el estilo es afectado y risible. Primera frase: “las manos con manicura de los generales fueron arrancadas de las blancas y delicadas gargantas de los desaparecidos”. Por favor. El título, al menos, es apropiado, porque Thornton no hace más que imaginarse Argentina. Esto se nota en muchísimos detalles ínfimos, pero hay ciertos pasajes que alcanzan picos máximos de ridiculez. El ejemplo perfecto: dos militares se llevan a un detenido a “las pampas” para matarlo ahí. Cuando están por fusilarlo, llegan unos gauchos a caballo, matan a los militares, rescatan al detenido y se lo llevan a una estancia. De nuevo: una escena que quizás funcionaría en otro contexto, como en el EEUU ocupado de Red Dawn, pero que en este no tiene ningún tipo de sentido, excepto como una muestra gratuita de color local. Es una novela hecha con lo que podría encontrarse en el negocio de souvenirs del aeropuerto de Ezeiza. En suma, esta falta de rigor y de preparación transmite la sensación de que Thornton no estaba realmente interesado en lo que ocurrió en Argentina, en los años setenta, sino en utilizar ese contexto macabro para subirle el precio a una historia más que floja y, claro, lucrar con ello.

[Amanda Stecco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on a sidewalk in DC before I moved to Brooklyn and, being from Argentina, decided to pick it up. I figured I'd give it a read at some point.

I finally grabbed it one morning on my way to work and I am so glad I did. I FELT this book. A lot. The whole time I thought of my family and what those poor people went through. I imagined my own cousins and aunts and uncles and felt so sick to my stomach. But these things need to be remembered. It even prompted to me to ask my Nonna about it. I found out her step-brother was one of the disappeared, and when I go home this weekend we plan on talking about it over some mate.

Something I love about this book is that the author managed to create ties between this and the Holocaust. I know they are completely separate situations, but the suffering and torture endured is not dissimilar, and as someone who is both Jewish and Argentine, seeing all parts of my ancestry intertwined was very moving. It was hard not to think of all of my family members while reading this.

I've always been incredibly proud of my heritage, and while this period of time for Argentina does not make me beam with pride, the strength that its citizens, my family, showed (and continue to show) does.

[پدرام ابراهیمی]

همه‌ی آدم‌های دنیا، حس زندگی در خانه‌ای پر از خرده‌شیشه‌های شکسته و خطرناک را درک می‌کنند، اما همه‌ی آنها درکی از زندگی با خطر ربوده‌شدن توسط حکومت ندارند. «لارنس تورنتون» نویسنده‌ی آمریکایی، با استادی تمام این حس را به مردمانی که ایده‌ای درباره‌ی آن ندارند -مثل ما- منتقل می‌کند. و البته او راوی صرف مستندات و خاطرات دوران دیکتاتوری نیست بلکه واقعیت را در قالب رئالیسم جادویی ریخته تا از آن نه سندی برای بایگانی، بلکه چیزی ساخته شود به نام داستان. داستانی تحسین‌شده و پرکشش که خواننده را از دالان‌های تاریک و بی‌روزن یأس و ترس می‌گذراند تا به پنجره‌ی رو به خورشید امید برساند. «ژنرال‌ها نمی‌توانستند این بقایای ساده ولی گویای آزادی را از مردم بگیرند مگر این‌که برای تک‌تک آدم‌هایی که در خیابان‌های خیس بوئنوس‌آیرس راه می‌رفتند مأموری می‌گماشتند.» 
***
خط اصلی داستان کتاب، قدرت ذهنی عجیب کارلوس، کارگردان تئاتر، را دنبال می‌کند که در پی ربوده‌شدن همسر روزنامه‌نگارش، سِسیلیا، و تلاش و جستجو برای یافتن ردی از او، توانایی «تصور» شرایط ناپدیدشدگان را به‌دست می‌آورد. این ماجراها در سال‌های دیکتاتوری دهه‌ی هفتاد آرژانتین رخ می‌دهد. دورانی که ژنرال‌ها می‌خواستند با معجونی مرکب از ادعای میهن‌پرستی، باج‌دادن به خارجی‌ها، هراس‌افکنی دیوانه‌کننده و سرگرم‌شدن مردم به قهرمانی در جام جهانی فوتبال، برای همیشه در قدرت بمانند. «ژنرال‌های ما می‌خواهند تمام مخالفانشان را از کشور بیرون و با خشونتی شهوانی همه‌جا را پاکسازی کنند و بپندارند که این‌گونه عطششان سیراب می‌شود و می‌توانند در کنار این آرژانتین ازپاافتاده که تا سر حد مرگ بلا به سرش آورده‌اند، بیاسایند. رؤیای همیشگی سربازان.» رؤیایی که مادران دادخواه، موسوم به «مادران روسری سفید» و «مادران میدان مایو» و آدم‌هایی مثل سِسیلیا و کارلوس آن را مخدوش کردند. شعله‌ای که در قلب آنها روشن بود و دلشان را گرم نگه می‌داشت: «دو تا آرژانتین وجود داره؛ یکی وضعیت مضحکی که این رژیم داره از آرژانتین نمایش می‌ده و یکی آرژانتینی که توی قلب‌های ماست.» 
***
سوگ‌نامه‌ بوئنوس‌آیرس
نویسنده: لارنس تورنتون
مترجم: مریم رئیسی. ترجمه‌ی این کتاب حاوی پانویس‌هایی است که درک شرایط، نام‌ها و نشانی‌ها و اصطلاحات را برای خواننده میسر می‌‌کند.

[Verba Non Res · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shameful. Some people might criticize this book because of its premise, considering that it trivializes what was a very serious historical and political event. This is not my case. I am interested in the supernatural, or the experience of the supernatural, as the last stronghold of political resistance (for example, the case of Taki Unquy), and that interest is what led me to make the bad decision to see the film, starring Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson, and, many years later, to pick up this book. In both cases, it is not the way of approaching the subject that fails, but a fundamental lack of knowledge of the subject and the context that is constantly evident. To the foreign reader this will go unnoticed, but I, as an Argentine, find it alternately offensive and ridiculous. To begin with, I find it hard to believe that this story takes place in my country. Lawrence Thornton began to write it without more than a handful of superficial references, names of places that he continually mentions, such as “Calle Cordova” (for some reason, he writes “calle” in Spanish, but uses the English spelling of Córdoba), “La Boca” or “las pampas” (a term that absolutely no Argentine uses to refer to the countryside). The characters have generic Latin names, and some are fatally misinformed, such as Emilia Lagoda, Maresa Rosas or Felicite Barbazon (they remind me of the randomly generated names of the Tropico games). Of course, even though the book is written in English, from time to time the characters throw in a señor or señorita, to show that they are Latino (this is classic telltale sign of bad writers) . What is worse, these characters do not speak, behave or feel like Argentines. The names could be changed to others and we would have a dystopia set in any other country, even in an alternative United States (that setting would be, I suspect, much more accurate). The historical and political aspect of the novel is treated equally superficially. It all comes down to a vague idea of "everything was fine and one day some bad dictators arrived" and the cheesy plan to defeat them with the strength of imagination. A watered-down history that is more difficult to forgive a foreign author for, especially when said author is a citizen of the country that promoted the dictatorship in question (and so many others in Latin America and the world). As might be expected, the novel also lacks any psychological depth, and the style is affected and laughable. In the first sentence: “their manicured hands were pried away from the delicate white throats of the dissapeareds”. Please. The title, at least, is appropriate, because Thornton does nothing more than imagine Argentina. This is noticeable in many minute details, but there are certain passages that reach maximum peaks of ridiculousness. The perfect example: two soldiers take a detainee to “las pampas” to kill him there. When they are about to shoot him, some gauchos arrive on horseback, kill the soldiers, rescue the prisoner and take him to an estancia. Again: a scene that might work in another context, like the Russian-occupied USA of Red Dawn, but doesn't make any sense here, except as a free sample of local colour. It is a novel made with what could be found in the souvenir shop at the Ezeiza airport. This lack of rigor and preparation gives the feeling that Thornton was not really interested in what happened in Argentina in the 1970s, but rather in using that macabre context to raise the price of a very weak story and, of course, to make money from it.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first of Lawrence Thornton's trilogy about Argentina's "dirty war", "Imagining Argentina" is a nightmarish story of a children's theater director ,Carlos Rueda, whose outspoken wife and innocent daughter "disappear" during the period of right wing military rule following the ouster of Juan Peron's widow, Isabel Peron (1976-82).
Based on true stories of those who survived their abductions, Thornton weaves a tale using a "magical realism" style of writing that won this work the Hemingway/PEN award. After his wife disappears, Carolos Rueda develops a clairvoyance, allowing him to "see/ imagine" what has happened to those abducted. His reputation spreads and soon his home is filled with desperate people, trying to find out what has happened to their loved ones. The torture and rape sequences are frequent, long, difficult to read and horrific.
This is a powerful story and a reminder that man's capacity for cruelty and evil continue to coexist with all that is good and beautiful in our world. Scary.
Amnesty International has estimated that between 10,000 and 30,0000 Argentinians disappeared during this period. Infants were taken from families and given to those who were loyal to 'the generals". Families, to this day, continue to search for those still missing and not accounted for.
The failed war with the British over the Faulkland Islands resulted in the overthrow of the generals. Although tried and convicted, the miltary's damage to the country was incalculable. Within a few years Argentina's economy collapsed and the resulting run on banks, and devaluation of currency forced over 50% of the middle class into poverty.

[Hesam Sheikhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

جالب.
دردناک، فرمِ ایراددار (نویسنده‌ گاهی زاویه‌ی دید رو فراموش می‌کنه.)
البته وقتی فهمیدم نویسنده اصالتاً آمریکاییه فهمیدم چرا “رئالیسم جادوئی” ِ داستان به‌نظرم مصنوعی می‌اومد.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it was first published in the late 80's. I have been meaning to reread it for awhile. The simple title describes so much about this story. It is about hope, and imagining the possibilities. I have lived in South America since reading this book, in southern Brazil which shares the gaucho culture, and vast countryside found in neighboring Uruguay and Argentina. I have also visited Chile three times since the late 90's. Brazil, Chile, and Argentina all experienced years of undemocratic rule by generals, political repression, and disappearances, though the Argentine "Dirty War" from 1976-1983 was perhaps the most brutal. Many details of this story are not only poignant but deeply symbolic - the Children's Theater where the main character Carlos Rueda works, illustrates not only the hope for the future, but that not even children were insulated during this period. The Holocaust survivors in this story link it to the evil of the Nazis, some of who escaped to Argentina. The title "Imaginging Argentina" reflects Carlos's gift of visions of the fates of the disappeared and his gift seems quite possible in the context. An aspect of this period that struck me most forcefully was the continuous denial by the generals of the disappearances. Those in power often deny the legitimacy of calls for justice or clamor for change. We are all familiar with the phrase "speak truth to power" and this is what the Madres of the Plaza de Mayo started doing in 1977. They met every Thursday to march, asking where their loved ones were, and continued until 2006, when their final demands were met by President Krichner.

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was given to me years ago, and last night i finally picked it up, despite its not-compelling cover. i can't put it down.

--
(later)

So in the end, I really liked this book. It was engaging from page 1, but held the pace through the end.

On a personal note, it took me back to Buenos Aires, which I had the pleasure of living in for a short while many years ago. And it made me want to go back effective immediately. But it showed me a much sadder, mystical side of the city.

The book uses magical realism (in a way) to tell the story of the Dirty War and those who were affected by the overnight kidnappings (and in most cases, murders) of intellectuals and other liberals (as well as a disgustingly large number of mistaken identity situations).

To tell the tale, the story focuses on the art of storytelling and the power of belief, wrapped into the lives of a small community of those left behind, piecing together the mystery of the Disappeared. Very well done. I kept having to flip back to the author page, because I couldn't believe it could be written so beautifully by an "outsider", much less an American. [see also: Memoirs of a Geisha]

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time reading this book and I liked it just as much this time through. It is set in Argentina during the "Dirty War" in the late 1970s. There was a military takeover, and while the Generals were in power thousands of people disappeared: children, students, dissenters, journalists, professors, etc. The government didn't acknowledge those who disappeared and there was a climate of fear and repression. Those taken were tortured and usually killed.

This book is about the power and strength of imagination, memory and personal conviction. After Carlos Rueda's wife is taken, he discovers he has a spiritual, mystical gift. In his mind, he can see the stories of others who have been taken, and as he tells them, they come true. It is a tough read because of the violence that is done to the "disappeareds" but the writing is beautiful.

[Mahta · Rating 4 out of 5]

صفحات آخر کتاب رو با اشک خوندم. نمی‌دونم از امکان‌پذیر بودن‌ بعضی‌چیزا خوشحال بودم یا از غم‌انگیز بودن و شباهت اتفاقات توی کتاب با وضع خودمون. نویسنده واقعا در توصیف و توضیح و بسط داستان ماهره. مطالعه راحت کتاب هم به خاطر چیره‌دستی مترجمه. لذت بردم، اگرچه که قلبم فشرده شد. ۴.۵ از ۵.

[Peter Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just reread after a long absence. Every bit as lush as I remember.

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro que me gustó 4/5. El tema es interesante y la trama es creativa. Lo peor del libro es que el autor es estadounidense y escribe en inglés, debería ser un argentino escribiendo en español (casi ni siquiera leí el libro por eso). A pesar de esto, un buen libro. Cubre temas complicados y emocionales (muerte, tortura, abuso sexual) con una delicadez apropiada, que te afecta emocionalmente pero que no te arruina el día. Se trata de un momento en la historia de argentina fascinante (y terrible), y el libro sin duda no decepciona en describir este tiempo

[Edward Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1976 in Argentina. After the Peróns. And people are disappearing courtesy of the fascists. But one man -- a theatrical producer by the name of Carlos Rueda -- somehow knows what happened to everyone. Everyone, that is, except his wife. There is much to admire about this often harrowing novel, which gets better as it goes along: the way that it isn't explicit about what goes on these disappearances until the very end, the way that a lot of the worst aspects of Argentine are delivered either through dialogue or at a distance, and the measured tone that Lawrence Thrornton sustains throughout the novel. I understand that the novel is trying to reflect an eerie liminal state about life is like under fascism and secret executions and torture. If anything, this nightmare is evermore pertinent in 2024, as America is increasingly on the road to fascism. But it is too muted on character development. And I think it would have been more powerful if we knew more about the characters other than some sketchy details. While Thornton is a master of nailing down the right vicarious perspective to lock us into the horrors of Argentina after the coup d'etat in '76, this works against him with his characters. But, hey, don't let a highly discerning bald man in Brooklyn get in your way. This novel definitely deserves a lot more recognition. Especially now.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meghan Darigan

Imagining Argentina by Lawrence Thornton is the strange yet, intriguing story of a man named Carlos Rueda. Carlos has the incredible ability of being able to see the fates of those who have been taken by Argentina’s government through vivid visions. Carlos’ wife Cecilia is soon taken by Argentina’s government for writing a controversial article about children who went missing in La Paz and Carlos is grief stricken. Shortly after, when one of his theater students father is taken he learns of his gift. He sees the fate of the boy’s father and tells him his father will be returned. When this comes true Carlos’ world is transformed. Just by thinking of a person who went missing he can see what happened to them and what will happen to them. Carlos starts holding weekly meetings and has people tell him what happened to their loved ones. Even though the endings aren’t always happy people still get closure and get closer to knowing what is really happening. With the help of Carlos families are reunited and people who have lost their loved one are given closure. Even he is reunited with his family.
Imagining Argentina is truly a great piece of work. It is full of mystery, drama, and suspense. With that in mind however it also has deep morals and motifs. I really love books that have meaningful messages and mystery, this book gave me a two in one. It’s filled with mystery about what has happened to the missing people in Argentina. People know that the government has taken them, but that’s about it. They don’t know what actually happened to them or why the government is taking them. Carlos’ ability to see into the lives and fates of people also is a major mystery. How can he see into the lives of people he has never met? We are conditioned to think that abilities such as seeing the future are impossible, but what if they are not. Thornton gives a cryptic sense of Carlos’ ability which posed the question of can what Carlos is able to do really happen?
Not only does the mystery of his gift pose questions, but the disappearances do as well. Argentina’s government is taking people without even blinking and this has to make anyone wonder why? Do they have something to hide? It also poses real life questions. Can this happen to us? Today the government has a scary amount of control over people and it sounds possible that they could just take people. That why I loved this book it has suspense and a little bit of science fiction however, it isn’t far-fetched at all.
Thornton also sends us messages throughout the book however. One moral or message is to persevere. Even when Carlos’ wife goes missing he doesn’t give up on finding out what happened to her or to others. He never gives up on trying to find her. Also this book tells us to be selfless. When Carlos finds out about his gift he could have used it just for himself to find his wife, but he shares it with everyone. He helps others to be reunited and get closure rather than just giving up and being selfish. This is one of my favorite fiction books now because it has suspense yet it also carries useful lessons. It also makes you ask yourself questions and make connections throughout reading. I would very highly recommend this book to anyone

[کتاب‌فام · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔶"ما دیگه از اون روزگار که نمی‌شد هیچ‌چیز رو تغییر داد، گذر کرده‌ایم". ص۵۲

🔶وقتی رئالیسم جادویی را بر بستر واقعیت رها کنی، نتیجه‌اش می‌شود «سوگنامه‌ی بوئنوس‌آیرس»؛ کتابی که به‌سختی می‌شد به کناریش گذاشت. کتابی آن‌چنان تلخ و زننده که می‌پنداشتم چطور می‌شود این حجم از شقاوت را معرفی کرد و درست به‌همین دلیل باید نشان داده شود و فرم و قلم جادویی مخلوق «ثورنتون» چنان اثری به‌جا گذاشته که درخشان است. «سوگنامه‌ی بوئنوس‌آیرس» اولین رمان «ثورنتون» است و خواندنش را به همگان توصیه می‌کنم نه‌تنها به این دلیل که به‌سان درخشش خرده‌شیشه‌های شکسته بی‌نهایت استادانه نوشته شده، بلکه پیامی آن‌چنان پرقدرت در دل خود دارد که وجدان را می‌سوزاند.
این اولین رمان بلندپروازانه‌ی «ثورنتون» بر تقابل شهروندان صلح‌طلب و یک حکومت توتالیتر متمرکز است. این رمان روایت داستان حکومت پُروحشت ژنرال‌های نظامی آرژانتینی پس از به قدرت رسیدن در 1976 و شروع آن‌چه که دوران "جنگ کثیف" می‌خوانندش است که تا 1983 ادامه داشت. به لحاظ تاریخی، مشهورترین مخالفان این رژیم وحشت، مادران روسری‌سفید میدان «پلاسا دِ مایو» بودند که با راه‌پیمایی‌های سکوت خود در مقابل کاخ ریاست‌جمهوری با در دست گرفتن پلاکاردهای حاوی تصاویر عزیزان ناپدیدشده‌شان که نماینده هزاران فرد ناپدید شده بودند، رخ‌به‌رخ ژنرال‌ها به پا خاستند و «لارنس ثورنتون» با استفاده از این اعتراضات تاریخی، عنصری فراطبیعی را درهم بافته است؛ شخصیت اول کتابش را: «کارلوس روئدا» نمایش‌نامه‌نویس برجسته‌ی کودکان که پس از ناپدید شدن همسرش «سسیلیا»ی روزنامه‌نگار، روشن‌بینی خاصی به‌سراغش می‌آید؛ توانایی دیدن ناپدید شدگان در الهام‌هایش، پیداکردنشان و درک شرایطشان. پس از ناپدید شدن همسرش، کارلوش به جمع مادران «پلاسا د مایو» می‌پیوندد و جلساتی را در خانه‌اش ترتیب می‌دهد و در آن‌ها به داستان‌های این مادران گوش می‌دهد و از عزیزانشان برایشان می‌گوید، داستان‌هایی که در برخی‌شان شکنجه و مرگ است و در برخی فرارهایی معجزه‌آسا. خواننده‌ی کتاب خیلی زود صحت دیدگاه‌های «کارلوس» را می‌پذیرد که قلب این رمان ایستا را در خود دارد هرچند، که «کارلوس» بیش از آن‌چه که می‌گوید، عمل می‌کند: "جنگ واقعی بین تخیل ما و آن‌هاست... تا زمانی‌که به آن‌ها اجازه ندهیم تخیل ما را زیر پا بگذارند، زنده خواهیم ماند".
تمام کاری که «ثورنتون» با این رویاها انجام می‌دهد، تکرار آنهاست. مثل تماشای یک نمایش جادویی. دست‌آورد «ثورنتون» این است که ما را وادار به قدرت ذاتی کتاب‌هایی مانند این کتاب می‌کند، کتاب‌هایی که پیام امید دارند برای کسانی‌که می‌خوانند، باور می‌کنند، عمل می‌کنند و زنده می‌مانند.

[John Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary story about the power of imagination and hope to triumph over evil. "Tell me your stories. Tell me what they have done." Carlos has a gift; when the mothers, wives, husbands, sons of the desaparecidos tell their stories, Carlos finishes the stories, the power of his imagination reaching out into the dark to intersect with and perhaps change the course of events. Carlos sees his battle as a battle of imagination between him and the Generals, different views of what Argentina should be. In the narrow confined imagination of the Generals, there is consensus and everyone is in agreement, there is no room for dissent. But Carlos sees the generals as small men harried by fear and his imagination frees many. But he can't save them all - sometimes the truth is too brutal and there is no room for imagination to save those already condemned to death.

There is a strong Borgesian flavor to this story, which includes a reference to Jorge Luis Borges's El Sur, certainly appropriate as Borges was consistent in his opposition to tyranny, whether it communist, fascist, Peronist or the Generals.

Not recommended for those with weak stomachs as the depictions of rape and torture, while appropriate to the story, are brutally graphic.

[Romy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third time reading Imagining Argentina - I saw it on my bookshelf and realized I had forgotten a lot about it, but remembered how much I liked this novel. It doesn't disappoint upon re-reading. Argentina's dirty war is something that happened relatively close to us, both geographically and in time; but is not something that is much discussed or even known about. That ordinary citizens could be kidnapped by the government, tortured and murdered in horrific ways, is something that we who are fortunate to live in Western societies are aware happens but feels distant from us. And yet, Argentina is also a Western society. I have been to Buenos Aires, perhaps somewhat different in how the government is closer to the military, but really not that different. So, it is even more horrific, I find. In terms of the novel the writing is beautiful and I enjoyed the author's storytelling and imagination. The power of storytelling and imagination, when confronted by the difficulties and even horrors of life, is the central theme of the novel. I found the author used "magical realism" as effectively as a South American writer, in fact it was a bit hard to believe an American wrote this book. The novel has a certain charm, in spite of the difficult topics in the plot. It's very sad to know that in Argentina, there are still people there searching for their loved ones and who will never know what happened to them. I would definitely recomment this book.

[Yehuda Prizont · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book which deals with the very difficult issue of the military regime in Argentina during the mid 70's to early 80's - a regime which performed many atrocities. I believe the genre is referred to as historical fiction as it discusses events which really happened and people who really existed within a fictional tale of someone who is able to influence reality through his imagination. The tale is fantastic in nature, though interspersed with the telling of the horrid acts that happened during this time. The theme of the power of the mind and the imagination - in the most sordid of circumstances, reminded me of Viktor Frankl's writings. If anyone has issues reading fairly detailed descriptions of atrocities of dictatorial regimes (many novels dealing with the holocaust have similar stories) - this isn't for you. However, the overriding message is one of hope and personal power and freedom.

[Zach Studer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book serves as an interesting fictional take on the terrible 1970's period of Argentine history. An American author, writing in the South American magical realism tradition to tell the tale of a man who has the ability to see the fates of those who have been "disappeared" by Argentine government of the time. Yet while being a harrowing story in a terrible time in history, it felt pretty much flat to me. The author seemed to try and tap into emotion while not being very good at it. The treatment, or lack thereof, of the protagonist's daughter felt like an afterthought even though it should have been more poignant. Most of the book felt extremely frustrating and so many of the characters simply come across as hapless or passively accepting of awful situations. I also think, personal taste, that magical realism just doesn't jive with me as a writing style. Fairly disappointed overall.

[Neela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly, a really good book for the fact that we were required to read it for school. in the beginning I wasn’t really feeling it bc I didn’t understand why it was jumping around so much and the 3rd person narrator was throwing me off but when we had discussions in class and all the themes started showing through I really loved the message behind the book as a whole and just how good hearted it was! i also feel like i learned a lot of Argentinian history from it which was super cool. also sometimes when authors use flowery language it’s just too much and you can tell it’s just fluff but in this book it was super meaningful and I think it added a lot to the story as a whole. loved the ending as well!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that proves "don't judge a book by its cover." The title doesn't sound all that interesting nor does the description on the cover, but this book blew me away. It reminds me of Midnight's Children, in that it's set during a time of political unrest and one of the characters uses magical abilities to connect with others in order to cope with the turmoil around them. The writing was excellent. It was a good balance of beautiful words and captivating plot. And most of all it was deeply human. Watching each of the characters deal with grief and hope in different ways helped me understand a time in South American history that I didn't know much about.

[Eun · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard for me to read this book. I understand the author's use of magic realism and clairvoyance to make the story poignant and haunting and ultimately, redeeming but even without these elements (which were very beautifully woven into the story), this book made me cry. I even had to put it down every once in a while. I can't begin to imagine how it feels to have a spouse, a daughter or son or any one close taken from you and know that they were being held against thier will, being tortured or even killed. The uncertainty can make anyone go crazy and I admire all those left behind for their unwavering faith and hope.

[Wfbcreeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagining Argentina is set in the dark days of the late 1970's, when thousands of Argentineans disappeared without a trace into the general's prison cells and torture chambers. When Carlos Ruweda's wife is suddenly taken from him, he discovers a magical gift: In waking dreams, he had clear visions of the fates of "the disappeared." But he cannot "imagine" what has happened to his own wife. Driven to near madness, his mind cannot be taken away: imagination, stories, and the mystical secrets of the human spirit.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Argentina and the disappeared are poignantly portrayed by the creative use of magical realism. The story is related by a narrator who is just a witness to the magical powers of his friend as he tries to help others who are missing family or friends. His own wife is missing and though he can see what the others are going through he can't see through to find his wife. Loved the way this was written and once again a book to remind us of the atrocities committed, not very long ago but already mostly forgotten.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my Around the World challenge (Argentina).

Something about the "magic realism" in this novel about Argentina's Dirty War didn't work for me. There were elements of great story-telling here, but parts of the writing just seemed sloppy (unmotivated plot twists, far-fetched connections, "historical facts" that were thrown in but not developed or they weren't even accurate, etc). Still, I breezed through it in one day, eager to find out how the story ended, so there were certainly some redeeming features to this novel.