Seven Empty Houses
Samanta Schweblin, Megan McDowell (Translator)
About the book
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Winner of the 2022 National Book Award for Translated Literature
The seven houses in these seven stories are strange. A person is missing, or a truth, or memory; some rooms are enticing, some unmoored, others empty. But in Samanta Schweblin's tense, visionary tales, something always creeps back inside: a ghost, a fight, trespassers, a list of things to do before you die, a child's first encounter with darkness or the fallibility of parents.
In each story, twists and turns will unnerve and surprise: Schweblin never takes the expected path and instead digs under the skin, revealing surreal truths about our sense of home, of belonging, and of the fragility of our connections with others. This is a masterwork from one of our most brilliant modern writers.
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One of the 22 best writers in Spanish under the age of 35 by Granta
She is the author of three story collections that have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Juan Rulfo Story Prize, and been translated into 20 languages. Fever Dream is her first novel and is longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize. Originally from Buenos Aires, she lives in Berlin.
Reviews
Wickedly smart writing
These short stories have a wonderful twist. I can see how this author was nominated for an award. Outstanding writing.
An interesting respite
This was a fast and interesting read. The seven short stories were vivid portrayals of life as it is for a variety of people. My particular favorite was the longest one, all about an elderly woman waiting for her time to die, entitled "Breath from the Depths." The rest were just as enthralling, though.
Sometimes it's nice to break up novel reading by basking in the glory of short stories. If you are in the mood for such a break, I highly recommend this one!!
Short , Sharp, and Immersive
Schweblin takes the home as a starting point; what is commonly seen as simple, prosaic, and safe she spins off its axis ever so slightly. She tilts the angle of our lens just enough to make these spaces feel off-balance, peculiar, and vulnerable.
In doing so she illuminates the truth that no matter how picturesque the view is from the street, behind every closed door is a microcosmic world full of emotions and traumas that only the inhabitants know. The grief, loss, confusion, desperation is palpable; it fogs the air and envelops the reader.