Description
Manuel Bergman
Book Summary
Jorge, a young aspiring screenwriter, searches for a story to tell while trying to recover his lost ambition. In his journey through New York, he crosses paths with Eve, a playwright on the verge of fading away; with Sveta and Mila, two immigrants at odds with each other; and with Zhenia, a dazzling male escort. Through these lonely characters who reflect the city's hostility, Jorge immerses himself in a search for identity that will lead him to experience fifteen frantic days under a false persona: that of Manuel Bergman. A novel about creation, displacement, and the mask we all wear.
What is it about?
The novel follows Jorge, a young aspiring screenwriter in need of a home. He has spent two years occupying his boyfriend Fabio's apartment in New York and feels he has lost all his ambitions there. In his quest for stories to write about, he strikes up a friendship with Eve Sternberg, a successful playwright on the threshold of old age. He also spends a few days living with Sveta and others with Mila, two illegal immigrants who are sad and irreconcilable enemies. He lets himself be dazzled by Zhenia, a greedy male escort. Through the vicissitudes of these lonely characters who reflect the hostility of the city, the protagonist faces the blank page once again. In his search for himself, he will live for fifteen frantic days under a false identity, that of Manuel Bergman.
Main Themes
- Search for identity and the creation of a social mask
- Displacement and loneliness in the big city
- Illegal immigration and precariousness in New York
- The writer's creative process and the struggle against writer's block
- Human relationships marked by hostility and desire
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in contemporary fiction with an urban backdrop, looking for a narrative focused on complex and lonely characters. Especially recommended for those who enjoy stories about the creative process, the construction of identity, and life on the margins of a city like New York. Also for followers of literature that explores human relationships from a raw and realistic perspective.
What this book offers
- An immersion into the hostile and fascinating atmosphere of New York through marginalized characters
- A reflection on artistic creation and the value of one's own identity
- A plot that combines a personal search with a thriller of false identities
- A lucid look at loneliness, immigration, and desire in the contemporary city
Technical Data
- Author: Herrán de Viu, Pablo
- Publisher: Editorial Dos Bigotes
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: TBD COLLECTION
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: September 2017
- Number of pages: 344
- Weight: 439 g
Editorial Review
Manuel Bergman is a novel that captivates with its ability to build memorable characters in a hostile urban environment. Pablo Herrán de Viu succeeds in combining the search for identity with a plot of impersonation that keeps the reader's interest. The work offers a lucid and uncompromising look at loneliness, immigration, and desire, making it a recommended read for those seeking contemporary narrative with psychological depth and an immersive atmosphere.