Plants Don't Drink Coffee, Unai Elorriga, Archipelago Books, 2009, 200 pp (translated from the Basque by Amaia Gabantxo)
This novella was my February selection for my challenge to read one translated book a month. From the title and cover art I thought it might be experimental. Instead it is a moving story that managed to bring me a large dose of joy during the dark and rainy days of last month.
Much of the book is in the voice of young Tomas. Listen to him: "Plants don't drink coffee. They don't like coffee, and neither do flowers or trees. Birds don't like it either. My aunt told me. I do. Sometimes I don't breathe while I drink my cafe con leche."
Tomas is staying with his aunt because his father is gravely ill, in hospital, and his mother sits by her husband's bed. His teenage cousin is hard at work on a summer project to collect all the insects she can find in the village. Tomas accompanies her and wants himself to find a rare blue dragonfly. It is said that the one who catches it will become the most intelligent person in the world. I fell in love with Tomas.
Throughout the summer, at his aunt's and at family gatherings, he listens to their stories and tries to piece the details together from his eight-year-old limited experience of life. Along with him, I got a picture of small-town life there in these current times.
By the end he has had to deal with many new concepts. I was so inspired by this deceptively simple tale from the Spanish area of the Basque Country that I began to write again myself, after a long dry spell.
How wonderful that you were inspired! Cheers from Carole's chatter
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it was!
DeleteI am also trying to read a bit more translated books. This sounds like a very worthy character study.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that the book has inspired you to write again.
Yes, that was an unexpected bonus!
DeleteThe title of this book alone has me intrigued! But your review makes me want to read Plants Don't Drink Coffee.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to, Lisa!
DeleteWhat a quirky title and how great that it inspired you. BTW - an occasional drink of coffee for my house plants makes them thrive LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL. I have heard about putting the grounds around as compost but never tried it.
DeleteI love small town books. It reminds me of where I grew up! This is going on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I am sure you would like it.
DeleteThis sounds like a charming read.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleasantly surprised to find it charming.
DeleteWe went to the Basque Country a few years ago and it was wonderful. Simple tales can often be the best.
ReplyDeleteI envy you!
Deletehmm, sounds quite interesting, and so glad it encouraged you to write again!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma.
DeleteI'd love to read this. Where did you find your copy?
ReplyDeleteMy copy is an advance readers copy sent to me by the publisher in 2009. I finally got around to reading it. It appears to be available in paperback and ebook formats at the usual vendors.
DeleteBefore I commented, I searched Amazon by author name and didn't find it, but now I see it by title (and also by author). I must have misspelled. Thanks for the info.
DeleteI had some trouble spelling that name too! Glad you found it.
DeleteGlad this quirky book broke the spells--the weather one and the writing one as well. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my yes. The wonder of books. The ways they can sometimes save us!
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