Kiss of the Spider Woman

Some very thoughtfully written responses (Rebekah, reader from Seattle, Jenna, pjmittal, et al). And some good synopses as well (be careful though, Erika's, while well written, is a bit of a spoiler).Since the above topics have been so adroitly covered, I won't dwell on them. But I couldn't resist seconding Stephanie Zuercher: one of the most interesting things about this novel is the choice Puig made to use dialog, almost exclusively, to tell the story. As you read consider this technique & the fact that you still get an excellent picture of the setting. Masterful prose styling. & very original. I can't think of another writer that's done the same (but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else can; please throw the author's names/titles my way, as would love to read them). & for those that didn't understand the use of footnotes or didn't like them--it's merely a post modern flourish (perhaps an homage to T. S. Eliot's _The Waste Land_?). Ignore them till you reach the end then go back and read them. Or ignore them entirely. But read the book. It's an A+

"Kiss of the Spider Woman and Two Other Plays" brings together three theater pieces by the great Argentine writer Manuel Puig. Both the title play and "Mystery of the Rose Bouquet" have been translated into English by Allan Baker; "Under a Mantle of Stars" has been rendered into English by Ronald Christ. Together, these three plays demonstrate the imaginative power, psychological insight, and compassion of a major artist."Kiss of the Spider Woman" is probably the best known of the three plays; it has been adapted into both a major motion picture and an award winning musical play. Telling the story of imprisoned cellmates--one a flamboyant gay man, the other a passionate political revolutionary--"Kiss" explores such themes as sexual identity, suffering, and self respect. "Under a Mantle of Stars" is a surreal piece that examines crime, violence, lust, and twisted family ties. The final play in the collection, "Mystery of the Rose Bouquet," is a moving drama about a hospitalized elderly woman and her nurse. "Mystery" deals with such issues as loss, duplicity, memory, and, ultimately, hope.In "Under a Mantle of Stars," one character remarks that another character "dares to say whatever comes into her mind." To which a third character replies, "Which is one form of madness." Perhaps, like all great writers, Puig shared this special, naked "madness." But whether madness or genius, his works are memorable and powerful. This is an essential volume for those interested in Latin American literature, gay studies, or 20th century drama.

This book was recommended to my by a very enthusiastic friend, and I must say, having finished the book, I understand why. Roughly, the story is about two men in prison: Luis Molina, the homosexual window dresser, and Valentin Arruiga Paz. That, however, only begins to describe it. It's also about movies: Molina tells the plots of movies, partially to pass the time, partially because these movies -- living these movies -- is his escape. He prefers the movies from the forties and fifties, with the real divas, short hair, lots of blood-red lipstick . . . The movies aren't just time-passers, either: they reflect the events of the book.The style is one of the most outstanding features of the book. It is almost entirely in dialogue, with some brief spates into play-format and a couple of police reports. It varies with the setting. There are also a couple of sections in stream-of-consciousness, where one receives Molina's movies as he thinks of them, no bothering with sentences. It all contributes to a wonderful effect.I have, however, heard, that although this is the only translation available, it isn't the best. For example, Molina refers to himself as a woman throughout the book in the Spanish version. Although this isn't as possible in English, one could have made more of an effort, to preserve the feel of the original.So go learn Spanish (if you don't know it already) -- but read this first!

Great book, better movie!! I really enjoyed it, as I did with Boquitas Pintadas...