Sandwich Joe
Discontent by Beatriz Serrano reminds me a lot of My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh. I found myself hating the narrator, yet at the same time seeing uncomfortable reflections of myself in her. Marisa’s love of Ativan, her hatred of corporate jargon, her love of YouTube, her hatred of group activities… I understand her like a best friend. Supporting this sense of familiarity, Serrano’s prose feels fresh and biting. It leads into the absurdity of work life with humor that cuts close to the bone.
Mara Faye Lethem’s translation is fantastic—smooth and readable in English, while still preserving that uniquely Spanish rhythm and flavor.
Discontent by Beatriz Serrano reminds me a lot of My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh. I found myself hating the narrator, yet at the same time seeing uncomfortable reflections of myself in her. Marisa’s love of Ativan, her hatred of corporate jargon, her love of YouTube, her hatred of group activities… I understand her like a best friend. Supporting this sense of familiarity, Serrano’s prose feels fresh and biting. It leads into the absurdity of work life with humor that cuts close to the bone.
Mara Faye Lethem’s translation is fantastic—smooth and readable in English, while still preserving that uniquely Spanish rhythm and flavor.