Reading: Bolano

The Eye is the story of Mauricio Silva, known as "The Eye", but is narrated by a non-omniscient third party. I never actually caught the name of the narrator, just that he became good friends with "The Eye" while they lived in Mexico. As you would imagine, when The Eye tells the narrator he is gay, their conversation remains on the topic for quite some time.

That night he confessed to me that he was a homosexual...and that he was leaving Mexico. For a moment I thought he was leaving because he was a homosexual. But no, a friend had found him a job with a photographic agency in Paris...He said that for years he had felt guilty and hidden his sexuality, mainly because he [was] a socialist and there was a certain degree of prejudice among his friend on the Left. (p 108)

Instantly the narrator fears that The Eye's decision to leave was not for gain but rather for prevention of ridicule. I think we always assume the negatives and fear prejudice causes decisions rather than acceptance. I found it quite interesting that the narrator has no prior reservations when it comes to The Eye's sexuality. No emotional distraught or disdain. Nothing. This may be due to Bolano focusing on The Eye rather than the narrator, who's emotions and thoughts are rarely revealing.
"Do you understand what I'm saying? Sort of, I said. We fell silent again. When I was finally able to speak I said, No, I have no idea. Neither do I, said the Eye. No one can have any idea. Not the victim. Not the people who did it to him. Not the people who watched" (p 115). They speak after The Eye tells the story of a child who is emasculated by festival priests to become a Eunuch. Rejected by his family, he is left to a Brothel. None can understand fully the events that occurred. No one will get the full story, or clearly read all sides, points of view. The awful event cannot be accurately portrayed.

In The Vagabond, the story is of a gentleman bt the name of B. Reading a story full of names, it is so unnerving that the protagonist has but a singular letter. Bolano chose also to name those he meets with singulars as well. I am left in bewilderment to the meaning.
Halfway through the story, B heads to a topless bar. He picked up a black girl, presumably at the bar. "Her voice, which B remembers as soft and musical, has become hoarse and querulous, as if at some point during the night...her vocal cords had undergone a transformation...her voice wakes him with the effect of a hammer blow" (p 182). I love the quips thrown throughout pieces like this, certainly adding a spell of cheerfulness amidst plains of uncertainty and confusion.

-Mark