Lead Review (Un Amor)
- Book: Un Amor
- Location: La Rioja
- Author: Katie Whittemore (translator), Sara Mesa
I was excited to read Un Amor by Sara Mesa (translated from the Spanish by Katie Whittemore) because Peirene always seem to publish such fascinating books and this prize-winning author’s work has been well received in Spain. This short novel is a third-person account which is by turns intriguing, uncomfortable and deeply unsettling but nevertheless I found it a very satisfying read.
Nat has packed up her life in the city to escape an unexplained sense of shame. She has moved into a property in the small village of La Escapa, where she knows no-one. The village is in the arid landscape of La Rioja, and is overshadowed by the nearby mountain. The house itself is small, and in a state of disrepair, but she sets about trying to make a home. She has transplanted herself to the countryside, but the question is whether she will flourish or wither.
As an incomer, Nat struggles to make meaningful relationships with anyone in her new village. Those she does attempt are transactional at best and terrifying at worst. Even the dog that she adopts for companionship disregards her and her relationship with the dog mirrors those with her neighbours. (Maybe the dog is offended by the nickname she bestows on it, which translates as ‘arsehole’!)
It’s not long before we suspect that at least some of the blame for this lack of communication lies with Nat herself, which is ironic, given her that she works as a translator. Instead of speaking to people directly, she tries to interpret body language and translate its meaning. She seems to have a pathological fear of asking questions and learning the truth. Her terrible insecurity leads her to expect every little happiness to be snatched away. She begins to distrust every gesture of friendship and it seems she is self-sabotaging. Above all, she avoids doing anything to disturb the status quo. When Nat finally finds a reason to start taking risks, her worst fears are realised.
There’s a lot about Un Amor that is relatable and that’s what makes this such a disconcerting read. Most of us will recognise Nat’s fear of the unfamiliar and of being judged, her anxiety in her new surroundings and her longing to connect. The author creates a tension that’s echoed by the book’s setting: the oppressive climate and the threatening presence of the mountain. The book has an interesting plot but what kept me reading was my fascination with Nat’s character and the attitudes and reactions of those around her.
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