Argentinian author Samantha Schweblin has been named one of the best writers in Spanish under the age of thirty-five and Fever Dream is her first novel, winner of the Tigre Juan Prize and finalist for the Mario Vargas Llosa Prize. It is a short, intense novel with a haunting quality you can read in one sitting.
In an unknown country and town, Amanda lays in a hospital clinic bed, responding to the questions of David. She is not his mother. He is not her son. Unable to see him, his voice urges her to recall recent events; vacationing with her daughter Nina, meeting neighbour Carla and her son David, and the details of the story Carla has told her about the illness of her son.
"This is important", he repeats.
David guides her through what seems to be a fever dream, a nightmarish story of supernatural transformation, looking for the clues to her own illness.
"This is the most important thing. This is everything we need to know".
It's hard not to reveal too much about this, the mystery is entwined in the plot. Well written and interesting throughout, there is enough left unsaid that keeps you wondering. Otherworldly spiritual moments mix with grounded environmental warnings that create a menace you can't fully see, surreal and untouchable. Despite maintaining an ominous tone, I began to find it a one-note story, which is why I would say read it straight through. My assumption this was a thriller, or a ghost story, was replaced by an obvious conclusion. The mystery didn't take me beyond where I thought I was headed, so I can't fully recommend it, but it was well constructed and an entertaining read.
2017 / Hardcover / 183 pages
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