Skip to main content
Letters from Latin America, May 1 2023
LEO BOIX reviews a novella by Peruvian writer August Higa Oshiro, a powerful book by young Colombian author Lorena Salazar Masso, and three poetry pamphlets, by Puerto Rican Sabrina Ramos Ruben, Venezuelan Eleonora Requena and Brazilian Tatiana Nascimento

AN ELDERLY university professor from Lima wanders through the streets of the Peruvian capital after being forced out of his lifelong job. His name is Katzuo Nakamatsu, and like the book's author, he is the son of Japanese immigrants in Peru.

The despondent literature professor quickly descends into an abyss of human consciousness and abandonment as he begins to explore, like a dejected flaneur, not only his deteriorating state of mind but the poor neighbourhoods of Lima and the desperate people that inhabit them at night.

Katzuo’s journey is one of self-discovery to make sense of his Japanese roots and search for the meaning of life, death, and desire. 

Take out shares in the People's Press
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Letters from Latin America / 7 April 2025
7 April 2025
Travelogue/reportage by Argentinean Maria Sonia Cristoff, and poetry by Peruvian Gaston Fernandez and Puerto Rican Cristina Perez Diaz
Letters from Latin America / 4 March 2025
4 March 2025
A pamphlet by British Latinx poet Patrick Romero McCafferty, poetry by Anglo-Argentinian  Miguel Cullen, and a book of conjuring poems by Mexican Pedro Serrano
Best of 2024: Letters from Latin America / 6 December 2024
6 December 2024
LEO BOIX selects the best books of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction written by Latinx and Latin American authors published this year
Letters from Latin America / 14 October 2024
14 October 2024
Mexican Yuri Herrera’s novel about Benito Juarez in New Orleans, and poetry by Mexican Fabio Morabito and Argentine Sergio Chejfec
Similar stories
Literature / 10 February 2025
10 February 2025
An outstanding novel by Chilean writer and activist Pedro Lemebel, a poetry pamphlet by Venezuelan Natasha Tiniacos, and a children’s book of haikus singing the beauty of Cuba
Literature / 28 January 2025
28 January 2025
LEO BOIX reviews Cuban poet Carlos Pintado; Mexican poet Diana Garza Islas; Mexican American writer and critic Rigoberto Gonzalez; and Brazilian poet Haroldo de Campos
Best of 2024: Letters from Latin America / 6 December 2024
6 December 2024
LEO BOIX selects the best books of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction written by Latinx and Latin American authors published this year
(L) Clockwise from top L: Chilean poets Raul Zurita and Vero
Interview / 10 June 2024
10 June 2024
LEO BOIX talks to Richard Gwyn about Latin American poetry, translation and enduring literary friendships