La caçadora de cossos
With the strength, sensuality and freshness she demonstrated in her first novel El último patriarca, Najat El Hachmi presents us with a magnificent feast for the senses and confirms herself as the most interesting and original voice of her generation.
Isabel is a young Catalan woman from a conventional family. She makes her living cleaning – in a pizza factory at night, and in the home of a middle-aged writer during the day. But she’s hiding a secret life: one filled with multiple sexual partners and dangerous erotic encounters. When she goes to clean the writer’s house, she gradually begins to tell him more about this side of her, until he becomes the confidant to her very darkest secrets. She trusts him – he is the only man she knows who does not try to sleep with her. But as their relationship develops, she becomes more dependent on his advice and understanding, eventually revealing the complicated sadnesses that drive her reckless behaviour.
PRESS
«A brave Catalan writer fashions a heroine who really breaks the rules. The novel is ably translated by Peter Bush from Catalan, one languaje with a rich literary tradition on which El Hachmi draws. She is reminiscent of Mercè Rodoreda in her detailing of everyday objects to reveal the workings of her main character’s mind and her use of a direct, colloquial voice. To some degree the novel is a morality tale: promiscuous sex does not bring happiness. What makes it special is its extraordinary physical detail, both in the sex (not at all titillating) and cleaning (stimulating) and in the description of clothes, smells and factory work. El Hachmi is not just bold in her themes, but intelligently and patiently teases out their contradictions. She is a fine writer.» Michael Eaude, The Guardian
«The text, in its freeing exploration of a socially turbid sexuality, is incredibly valiant; and its style shines for its poweful adroitness. A great book.» Jordi Gracia, El País
«Najat El Hachmi’s new novel is attractive, original, contemporary and strong.» Sam Abrams, El Mundo
«A highly original setting, an exquisite sensory universe, dominated by a highly naturalistic, well-structured, supple prose that keeps the reader glued to its pages.» A. Bulnes, Mercurio
TRANSLATIONS
Italy: Newton Compton; UK: Serpent’s Tail
