Pedro Juan Gutierrez's Dirty Realism: Reinventing Cuban Spaces

Pedro Juan Gutiérrez's Dirty Realism: Reinventing Cuban Spaces explores how Gutiérrez's settings oscillate between utopian, dystopian, and heterotopian, revealing his protagonists' affinity for the latter two. Lori Oxford examines how these spaces coexist in Cuba and are reflected in Gutiérrez's fiction, often simultaneously.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

In Pedro Juan Gutiérrez's captivating book, "Dirty Realism: Reinventing Cuban Spaces," Lori Oxford delves into a series of intricate and profound close readings that explore Gutiérrez's unique interpretation of life and reality within the context of the Special Period. Spanning across five remarkable works, Gutiérrez's "Ciclo Centro Habana Cycle" (1998-2003) takes readers on a journey through the diverse spaces of Cuba. Oxford's analysis reveals the author's masterful manipulation of settings, oscillating seamlessly between utopian, dystopian, and heterotopian realms. What is particularly intriguing is how Gutiérrez's characters exhibit a surprising affinity for these seemingly contradictory spaces, often finding solace and meaning in the latter two. Through her meticulous examination of Gutiérrez's utilization of these interwoven utopian and dystopian spaces, Oxford showcases how these seemingly opposing forces have coexisted harmoniously in Cuba. She demonstrates how Gutiérrez's fiction mirrors the reality of Cuba, reflecting these spaces simultaneously and intricately. This captivating exploration of Gutiérrez's artistic vision offers a profound insight into the complexities of Cuban society and the human experience during a period of immense transformation.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666910032