BOOK REVIEW ERIC’S VERSION Author: Nando López From the reader report by: Julia Krumm La versión de Eric is a crime novel and a novel about becoming an adult, about finding oneself and about friendship, which is written in a touching and honest way, without being stereotyped or lecturing. Sometimes soberly, sometimes philosophically, and sometimes optimistically, López shows how tough the time at school may be and how valuable friendships are if we perceive them as being welcoming and supportive, quite independent of age, appearance and success. Successfully the book makes a case for more empathy, against bullying and transphobia, which demonstrates how vulnerable humans are and how differently they deal with their wounds and traumas. The novel sheds a critical light on gender inequality in the Spanish language, the school system and even in the literature dealing with transgender people, and it stimulates new, more inclusive and more colourful ways. Told from Eric’s point of view, again and again the plot gets lost, diary-like, in memories and presents retrospective views of his experiences, however it always skilfully takes the readers back to the most recent events – this balancing act never looks constrained but rather like a lively, long conversation among friends. Regrettably, as yet none of López’s works has been translated into the German language, but I most warmly recommend this thrilling, multi-layered and highly topical novel for a translation.
PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS DE
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