Miami Book Fair Turns Twenty Five

by Jessica Bermúdez -- Críticas, 10/15/2008

The Miami Book Fair International (MBFI) the nation’s largest literary event celebrates its 25th anniversary with a wide array of panels and book discussions focusing on important Spanish-language authors. As always, the fair also serves to introduce many first-time authors and aims to foment appreciation for Spanish-language literature. Authors participating this year include Laura Restrepo [Olor a rosas invisibles (“The Scent of Invisible Roses”) p. 15], Antonio Orlando Rodríguez [Chiquita (“Little One”)], and Mayra Montero [Son de almendra (Dancing to “Almendra”)]. The Miami Book Fair International 2008 will take place at the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, November 9–16. Below are some of the events that should not be missed. For a complete program, go to www.miamibookfair.com/index.htm.

Sunday, November 9
Últimos 25 años de la Literatura Latinoamericana
(6 p.m. Auditorium)
In line with MBFI’s anniversary celebration, Latin America authors Marcos Aguinis [La pasión según Carmela (“Carmela’s Passion”) Random House, 2008], Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza [El regreso del perfecto idiota (“Return of the Perfect Idiot”); RH Mondadori, 2007], and Juan Manuel Cao Gusman [Te juro que yo soy culpable (“I Swear I Am Guilty”); Planeta, 2004] will meet at a roundtable to discuss the last 25 years of Latin American literature and its future.

Monday, November 10
Evenings with…
(7 p.m. Room 2106)
Author Pablo De Santis presents his latest prize-winning novel, El enigma de París (“Paris Enigma”).

Wednesday, November 12
Conversation with Miriam Gómez and Nat Chediak
(7 p.m. Room 2106)
Gómez, widow of Cuban “Boom” writer Guillermo Cabrera Infante [Tres Tristes Tigres (“Three Trapped Tigers”); Rayo, 2008], introduces the famed author’s last work, La ninfa inconstante (“The Unstable Nymph”; Galaxia Gutenberg, 2008) in a talk with music producer Nat Chediak, a long time friend of Cabrera Infante.

Saturday, November 15
Maratón Borges (Borges Marathon)
(2 p.m. Room Bldg. 3, First Floor)
South Florida’s Spanish-language book clubs will give a tribute to Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986), a legend of 20th century literature in Spanish. Book club members will read from Borges’s works. Participants include the Plantation Book Club, which will initiate the event with a reading of “Ulrica”; the Kendall Book Club, which includes author and journalist Juan Pablo Salas; and the Coral Gables Book Club, as well as several others. This reading marathon was organized by literature professor José O. Álvarez, Missouri Southern State University.

Sunday, November 16
Bogotá 39
(10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Room 3313-3314)
Authors from the Bogotá 39, a group of the 39 most important Latin American writers under the age of 39, selected by the Bogotá World Book Capital (UNESCO) and the Hay Festival, will discuss their latest works. The authors include Wendy Guerra [Nunca fui primera dama (“I Was Never First Lady”)]; Adriana Lisboa [Sinfonía en blanco (“White Symphony”)]; Andrés Neuman [Alumbramiento (“Lighting”)]; Eduardo Halfon [El boxeador polaco (“The Polish Boxer”)]; Guadalupe Nettel [Pétalos y otras historias incómodas (“Petals and Other Uncomfortable Stories”)]; Iván Thays [La disciplina de la vanidad (“The Discipline of Vanity”)]; and Junot Díaz [The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (La breve y maravillosa vida de Óscar Wao); See the interview on p. 20].