We, The Drowned

The BootsMany years ago there lived a man called Laurids Madsen, who went up to Heaven and came down again, thanks to his boots.He didn’t soar as high as… More

Coma

In the village, to which I rarely return since our father’s death, I drive up to the gate outside his second wife’s house; I back the van into the… More

My Mother’s Voice

The Black PrincessShe was having an affair, and I’d made my way to Budapest so that I could see her. It wasn’t a cheap ticket, but I could afford… More

Zone

Harmen Gerbens the Cairo Dutchman rests now in the briefcase above my seat—a name and a history, chronologically the first on the list, without my knowing at the time… More

Salvation Army

She always slept with us, in the middle, between my little brother Mustapha and my sister Rabiaa.She would fall asleep very quickly and night after night, in a natural,… More

America Doesn’t Exist

1Maria didn’t read the papers; otherwise, the next day, she would have read about the accident that had made her and her brother, Nicola, orphans. Who could say how… More

Eléctrico W

Antonio and I had never worked together but we had come across each other several times. His photos had illustrated my investigation into the garimpeiros, destitute gold miners in… More

Ice

12Dear Mama,Last Saturday there was a dance in the canteen. Those prisoners who knew how to play an instrument brought them along and played something for us. I was… More

Tirza

After Ibi began collecting the rent there were fewer complaints about moisture on the wallpaper, radiators that didn’t work, a window that didn’t close well. Her smile took away… More

The Last Patriarch

The son’s daughterI was born on cue, although some say I came too early, timing that destroyed the family and provoked one of those upsets that pursues you throughout… More