History is like Santa Claus: a language construction. We have some registers about the existence of Santa and history - the presents under the tree, the archives - but none have really seen them. Alvaro Enrigue archiveclausconstruction Change image and share on social
If you read the poets of the 19th century in Latin America, you would see that Havana or Mexico City or Buenos Aires are incredibly modern and global cities that they were not. And eventually they became real, and they became real because people read these books and tried to live in a better world. Alvaro Enrigue 19thaireamerica share on social
There is this brutal side to tennis. It was invented as a game for kings and cardinals and people with a lot of power who didn't have to share the field with other players. Alvaro Enrigue brutalcardinalfield Change image and share on social
I work with history because I come from a country that has a tremendous thirst for reality. Alvaro Enrigue countryhistoryreality Change image and share on social
My definition of freedom is still ruled by the reluctance to live a conventional life, from Emilio Salgari's pirates. Alvaro Enrigue conventionaldefinitionemilio Change image and share on social
I'm always reading a novel. If it's good, I remember why I love my job. Alvaro Enrigue goodjoblove Change image and share on social
I don't believe in inspiration at all. We live in a world that demands explanation. And fiction has the capability to offer explanations for things. Alvaro Enrigue capabilitydemandexplanation Change image and share on social
I was not able to be the front forward of a soccer team - that is a way to make people super happy every Sunday. What I can do is tell stories and try to put my coin in that discussion. Alvaro Enrigue coindiscussionforward Change image and share on social
Walter Benjamin used to think that languages expand their register thanks to translation, because translation forces ways of using words and structures that were alien to the original speaker of the target language. Alvaro Enrigue alienbenjaminexpand share on social
The kitchen is the heart of the house. Alvaro Enrigue hearthousekitchen Change image and share on social