Ghosts (New Directions Paperbook)

by: Cesar Aira; translated by Chris Andrews

Published by: New Directions

Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart

Cesar Aira has more than seventy books to his credit, is considered one of Argentina’s greatest writers, but is not that well known in the English-speaking world. Only three of his books have been translated and published for English-only speakers. I was intrigued by a review I read of Ghosts. I love a good ghost story. But the ghosts here are not what I was expecting.

The story revolves around Raul Vinas and his family, squatters who live on the unfinished floor of seven-story luxury condos under construction. The ghosts are seen by everyone on the construction, from the workers to the smallest child of Raul and his wife. No one seems bothered by the naked men coated in a fine layer of dust who seem to sit and watch what is going on. In fact, Raul uses them to refrigerate his wine: “It consisted of resolutely approaching a ghost and inserting a bottle into his thorax, where it remained, supernaturally balanced. When he went back for it, say two hours later, it was cold.”

The entire story takes place on New Year’s Eve. Raul and the construction workers are working until noonish. Then they have plenty of time to rest before the evening’s celebration. In Buenos Aries, it’s a scorching hot summer day. The heat is almost unbearable on the building’s rooftop, but the family learns to make the best of it. They are grateful that the work is behind schedule so they don’t have to find a new place to live.

As the afternoon progresses, the plot’s focus shifts from the family in general to the eldest daughter, Patri. She begins interacting with the ghosts and wants to join them at their party. Unfortunately, she would have to be dead to do so.

American readers might have a tough time with Ghosts. Not because the story line is difficult; it’s quite clear and entertaining. The difficulty could arise in the story’s format. There are no page breaks or chapters. The only quotation marks that are used is when the ghosts speak, so sometimes it’s hard to know who is talking. It’s a wonderful little story.

Armchair Interviews says: Translated, this is a most interesting read.