Between Eternities: And Other Writings

This is the type of book that should be carried to be read while sitting in waiting rooms or stuck at the airport or just trying to relax in a comfortable setting. The author of this collection of eclectic essays, Javier Marias, is a celebrated Spanish novelist, and these works translated to English by Margaret Full Costa read fluidly. The short selections are derived from columns and features that appeared in Spanish newspapers and periodicals over a twenty year period at the turn of this current century. He is fascinated by the cinema, and writes about the influence that comics had on him. He picks up arcane subjects such as an old address book and recovers some memories of its entries, while other recollections of enclosed notes are lost. In this eclectic collection, he muses on the impressions that cities leave with him, details his perceptions of other authors, writes about his family, discusses his fear of flying and so many other aspects of life. He recalls for the reader thoughts that have been submerged and exposes views on topics that can thoughtfully be appraised. The lucid writing is engaging and allows the reader to ponder similar sentiments.