The Witness (Masks) - Softcover

?Haunting and beautifully written... The author?s preoccupations are reminiscent of his fellow Argentinians Borges and Cortazar but his vision is fresh and unique. I can?t understand why, with the interest in things Latin American, we have had to wait so long for a book of his to appear in English? Independent on Sunday ?Mr. Saer?s novel combines elements of the haunting metaphysical ambiguity of Jorge Luis Borges? poetry and Graham Greene?s sensual description of the dark corners of the physical world and the human soul. The evocative imagery and ideas revealed in The Witness are not easily forgotten? Washington Times 'Let me make myself clear: The Witness is a great book and the name of its author, Juan Jos? Saer, must be added to the list of the best South American writers...? Le Monde ?There is no magical realism, no baroque exoticism and not a particle of sentimentality that sometimes colours Latin American fiction, but instead an intensity of poetic description and meditation...Saer?s luminous prose imparts awesome meaning to the word ?discover?? Times Educational Supplement ?Shades of Melville and Conrad? s Heart of Darkness influence an urgent narrative which unfolds through prose which has the terseness of reportage.? The Irish Times

'Haunting and beautifully written... The author's preoccupations are reminiscent of his fellow Argentinians Borges and Cortazar but his vision is fresh and unique' Independent on Sunday A ship sets sail from sixteenth-century Spain to the New World. Its crew include a young cabin boy, our narrator. On landing, an inland expedition ends in disaster when the crew is attacked by natives, who have not yet abandoned native customs - including cannibalism. Sophisticated and elegant, The Witness is a moving reflection on memory, cultural identity and arrogance, and foreignness. 'Combines elements of the haunting metaphysical ambiguity of Jorge Luis Borges' poetry and Graham Greene's sensual description of the dark corners of the physical world and the human soul' Washington Times Pls use shorter ST barcode panel.TRANSLATED BY MARGARET JULL COSTA£7.99 FictionCover image (c) ?? Gavin - any credit necessary?Cover design by Gavin MorrisST logowww.serpentstail.com