Nunca pasa nada. (Nothing Ever Happens)
Reviewed by Carlos Rodríguez Martorell, East Elmhurst, NY -- Críticas, 6/15/2008
Ovejero, José.
Spain/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2007. 288p. ISBN 978-84-204-7227-0. pap. $22.99. FICTION
Although not specifically about immigration, Ovejero’s layered tale showcases the growing Latin American presence in Spain and, subsequently, in Spanish narrative. Its central character is Olivia, a 19 year-old Ecuadorian maid who struggles to pay her debt to her smuggler while sending home money for her sick mother. Her employers are the troubled suburban couple Carmela and Nico. From the sidelines, Claudio, a gifted but unstable student of Nico’s, and Olivia’s smuggler, Julián, add to the couple’s worries. The author of novels, poems, short stories, essays, and travel books, Ovejero shows off notable novelistic skills through a series of well-crafted episodes, each devoted to a different character. He enthralls the reader with layered portrays of every individual and an intriguing, well-paced storyline. However, a rushed, oddly tragic outcome disappoints after the brilliant buildup. Ovejero shows care for Olivia, but Latin American readers will have a hard time with her use of the vosotros form (instead of ustedes) and other Castilian expressions, even among her Ecuadorian girlfriends. Recommended for both public and academic libraries and bookstores.
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