Über Helden und Gräber

I first read "On Heroes and Tombs" when it was just edited, almost 40 years ago. It was an overwhelming experience at that time. I've recently reread it and still stand as a major work, resisting the acid test of time. Mr. Sabato has written up to day only three novels: "The Tunnel", "On Heroes and Tombs" and "The Dark Angel" and a score of sociological essays. With the present novel he has won a well deserved place into the best Latin-American writers of the XXth century. This is a complex and dark novel staged in three levels: one the love affair between Martin and Alejandra situated in 1955's Buenos Aires; second the recount of a fleeing party of defeated Unitarians soldiers, carrying the corpse of their fallen leader, General Lavalle, in 1840's during the Civil War; third the "Report on Blind People" staged in a fantastic underworld that coexist with the "real and normal" world. The three narrative layers are intermixed and connected to each other with Alejandra as a fulcrum. Alejandra's character is very complex and mysterious. It remind me of Justine, described in the first volume of Lawrence Durrell`s "Alexandria Quartet". Both are women in distress, searching love and protection, but at the same time rejecting lover and protector. They are torn by tragic experiences, and the lover to be can't penetrate their souls and cringes in desperation. Martin is the desperate & frustrated lover; nevertheless he won't quit and defies all dangers & mysteries to try to save Alejandra. It is a great novel with touches of "magic-realism" and some echoes of Borges' and Cortazar's tales. I wholeheartedly recommend it!!!! Reviewed by Max Yofre.

I have never read a book that touched me as much as this one. It is a must read for lovers of compex stories and dense psychology. One of the finest gems of Latin American literature that can not be missed. Read it once, and you'll be changed for life.

An incredible dense and complex masterpiece, it delves into dark and unexplored crevices of the human mind and soul with unbelievable style and intensity. The middle part of the book "Report on the Blind" is a mindbending tour-de-force. One of the best novels of the 20th century.

Novela fascinante, que nos lleva a explorar la intrincada y laberintica mente de un ser diabolico"INFORME SOBRE CIEGOS" y asu vez nos narra una conmovedora historia de amor maldito.Absolutamente recomendable.

One of the best books ever! If you don't believe me, just read the „Rommance and Dead Of Juan Lavalle" and you'll be amazed! If you like good literature, you'll like it! (having read the two versions, I personally recomend the Spanish Version)