l'odyssée barbare

by Daniel Sada

« Les cadavres arrivèrent à trois heures de l''après-midi. Une camionnette les amena - en tas, à l''air libre -, tous criblés de balles comme il fallait s''y attendre. Sous la morsure d''un soleil de plomb, des regards surpris : il y avait de quoi quand on voyait comme ça se balader dans le village toute cette viande amoncelée; des gens du coin ? Il fallait vérifier. » Les corps de ceux partis manifester contre la fraude électorale sont rendus aux familles, puis l''armée occupe les lieux, le couvre-feu est instauré, les communications et les vivres sont coupés. Le maire-cacique de Remadrín est à son tour assassiné, le village sombre peu à peu dans la ruine et des fantômes, toujours plus nombreux, hantent les rues...« L’histoire du Mexique s''est toujours écrite avec le sang», déclare l''auteur de cette œuvre joycienne. La violence poussée jusqu''à la caricature y est décrite à travers le quotidien de 90 personnages hauts en couleurs, tous corrompus, voleurs, assassins, menteurs ou lâches, tragicomiques à leur façon, grotesques presque toujours. Une abondance de scènes burlesques, d''où résonnent dialectes du Nord, néologismes et tournures classiques, tentent de cerner la vérité d''un pays qui « adore le mensonge » et craint les vérités douloureuses, selon Daniel Sada. « Jamais personne ne peut dire le dernier mot sur le Mexique. Sa réalité est sale, mais d''une saleté spéciale : excrément et douceur. »

Paperback

Published February 23, 2009

About the author

Daniel Sada was a Mexican poet journalist and author whose work has being hailed as one of the most important contrubutions to the Spanish language.

He was a master of language and one of Mexico's most unique literary voices. His work is characterized by its dense, rhythmic prose and an inventive use of language that pushes the boundaries of traditional narrative forms. Sada's novels and short stories often explore the lives of ordinary people in rural Mexico, but he does so in a way that is anything but ordinary. His writing is filled with linguistic experimentation, blending formal and colloquial speech in ways that are both challenging and deeply rewarding.

One of Sada's most acclaimed works, *Almost Never* (*Casi Nunca*), is a testament to his distinctive style. The novel, set in post-revolutionary Mexico, follows the life of a man torn between duty and desire. Sada's use of language here is mesmerizing; his sentences twist and turn, mirroring the protagonist's inner turmoil. The narrative is both richly detailed and relentlessly paced, making for a reading experience that is as intense as it is immersive.

Another remarkable aspect of Sada's work is his ability to capture the rhythms and cadences of rural Mexican life. His characters speak in a language that feels authentic and true to their world, yet Sada elevates this speech to a poetic level. This is particularly evident in his short story collections, where he paints vivid portraits of life in the Mexican hinterlands with an economy of words that is truly remarkable.

Despite his considerable talent, Sada remains a somewhat underappreciated figure outside of Latin America. His work demands a level of attention and engagement that can be daunting, but for those willing to dive into his complex prose, the rewards are immense. Sada's contribution to Mexican literature is undeniable, and his works continue to influence contemporary writers. He is a literary figure whose work deserves greater recognition, both in Mexico and beyond.