Affections is the first book I read by the Bolivian author Rodrigo Hasbun; also, it is the first book I read from Bolivia. Although the author’s language is fluent, the interesting structure he uses while creating the book makes it very difficult to follow the story.
We read about a German family living in Bolivia in the early 1950s and 1960s in Affections. Based on a more or less true story, the book tells the story of the Ertl family. The father of the family, Hans goes on an expedition in search of a lost city, and you think the story will be all about it. But after the trip, the book describes the Bolivian revolution and the way various family members dealt with it.
Although some of its parts are quite triggering and sad, this short book shows people a lot at the same time. On the one hand, father-daughter relationship, on the other hand, reading the attitudes taken by people during the revolution will make you turn the pages faster. And unfortunately, you’ll finish it very quickly. Enjoy!
Affections
The award-winning and haunting novel from Rodrigo Hasbún. The literary star Jonathan Safran Foer calls, “a great writer,” about an unusual family’s breakdown. Set in South America during the time of Che Guevara. And inspired by the life of Third Reich cinematographer Hans Ertl.
Inspired by real events, Affections is the story of the eccentric, fascinating Ertl clan. Headed by the egocentric and extraordinary Hans, once the cameraman for the Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl. Shortly after the end of World War II, Hans and his family flee to Bolivia to start over. There, the ever-restless Hans decides to embark on an expedition in search of the so fabled lost Inca city of Paitití. Enlisting two of his daughters to join him on his outlandish quest into the depths of the Amazon. With disastrous consequences.
Rodrigo Hasbun
Rodrigo Hasbún is a Bolivian writer. He was born in Cochabamba. He has published a collection of short stories and two novels till date. His second novel Los Afectos has been translated in 10 languages. In 2017, Hasbun was included in the Bogotá 39 list of the most promising so young writers in Latin America.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
