Fantasy
![Dolores Reyes - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B08BMR129N.jpg)
Eartheater: A Novel
NAMED A "FALL 2020 MUST-READ" AND ONE OF THE "BEST BOOKS OF FALL 2020" BY TIME, VULTURE, THE BOSTON GLOBE, COSMOPOLITAN, WIRED, TOR AND MORE
Electrifying and provocative, visceral and profound, a powerful literary debut novel about a young woman whose compulsion to eat earth gives her visions of murdered and missing people-an imaginative synthesis of mystery and magical realism that explores the dark tragedies of ordinary lives.
Set in an unnamed slum in contemporary Argentina, Eartheater is the story of a young woman who finds herself drawn to eating the earth-a compulsion that gives her visions of broken and lost lives. With her first taste of dirt, she learns the horrifying truth of her mother's death. Disturbed by what she witnesses, the woman keeps her visions to herself. But when Eartheater begins an unlikely relationship with a withdrawn police officer, word of her ability begins to spread, and soon desperate members of her community beg for her help, anxious to uncover the truth about their own loved ones.
Surreal and haunting, spare yet complex, Eartheater is a dark, emotionally resonant tale told from a feminist perspective that brilliantly explores the stories of those left behind-the women enduring the pain of uncertainty, whose lives have been shaped by violence and loss.
Translated from the Spanish by Julia Sanches
Electrifying and provocative, visceral and profound, a powerful literary debut novel about a young woman whose compulsion to eat earth gives her visions of murdered and missing people-an imaginative synthesis of mystery and magical realism that explores the dark tragedies of ordinary lives.
Set in an unnamed slum in contemporary Argentina, Eartheater is the story of a young woman who finds herself drawn to eating the earth-a compulsion that gives her visions of broken and lost lives. With her first taste of dirt, she learns the horrifying truth of her mother's death. Disturbed by what she witnesses, the woman keeps her visions to herself. But when Eartheater begins an unlikely relationship with a withdrawn police officer, word of her ability begins to spread, and soon desperate members of her community beg for her help, anxious to uncover the truth about their own loved ones.
Surreal and haunting, spare yet complex, Eartheater is a dark, emotionally resonant tale told from a feminist perspective that brilliantly explores the stories of those left behind-the women enduring the pain of uncertainty, whose lives have been shaped by violence and loss.
Translated from the Spanish by Julia Sanches
Editorial Reviews
"One of the most outstanding Latin American short novels of the year." -- New York Times
"A powerful story whose narrator wields brutally honest observations on the intersections of class, poverty, and gender. Reyes' debut is a strong addition to the growing body of Latin American crime fiction in the U.S. market. A stirring genre blend of fantasy and crime fiction that combines graceful prose and magic realism." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Reyes succeeds in making the feisty Eartheater and her visions both persuasive and affecting." -- Library Journal (starred review)
"In a voice that is terse, blunt, and biting, the narrator reckons with the impact of her visions on her health and relationships, as she witnesses more and more the ways fear and violence shape the experiences of the women in her community. Compelling and visceral, Reyes' debut combines mystery and coming-of-age to evoke the stories of the victims of femicide." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A raw and vital literary debut, Eartheater takes an unwavering and visceral look at systems of power through the perspective of a young woman caught in the crosshairs." -- Shelf Awareness
"In Reyes' hands, this coming-of-age novel flowers into a meditation on death, and the earth all children will eat in the end." -- New York Observer
"Dolores Reyes's writing is visceral and urgent. It's also connected to a powerful tradition of fantasy and crime, and it reflects on violence against women with enormous lucidity." -- Mariana Enriquez, author of Things We Lost in the Fire
"With its own shining light and singular voice, Eartheater follows in the footsteps of such essential authors as Juan Rulfo and Sara Gallardo." -- Selva Almada, author of The Wind That Lays Waste
"Dolores Reyes's harsh and sensitive lyricism explodes in your hands." -- Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, author of The Adventures of China Iron
"A powerful story whose narrator wields brutally honest observations on the intersections of class, poverty, and gender. Reyes' debut is a strong addition to the growing body of Latin American crime fiction in the U.S. market. A stirring genre blend of fantasy and crime fiction that combines graceful prose and magic realism." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Reyes succeeds in making the feisty Eartheater and her visions both persuasive and affecting." -- Library Journal (starred review)
"In a voice that is terse, blunt, and biting, the narrator reckons with the impact of her visions on her health and relationships, as she witnesses more and more the ways fear and violence shape the experiences of the women in her community. Compelling and visceral, Reyes' debut combines mystery and coming-of-age to evoke the stories of the victims of femicide." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A raw and vital literary debut, Eartheater takes an unwavering and visceral look at systems of power through the perspective of a young woman caught in the crosshairs." -- Shelf Awareness
"In Reyes' hands, this coming-of-age novel flowers into a meditation on death, and the earth all children will eat in the end." -- New York Observer
"Dolores Reyes's writing is visceral and urgent. It's also connected to a powerful tradition of fantasy and crime, and it reflects on violence against women with enormous lucidity." -- Mariana Enriquez, author of Things We Lost in the Fire
"With its own shining light and singular voice, Eartheater follows in the footsteps of such essential authors as Juan Rulfo and Sara Gallardo." -- Selva Almada, author of The Wind That Lays Waste
"Dolores Reyes's harsh and sensitive lyricism explodes in your hands." -- Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, author of The Adventures of China Iron
Readers Top Reviews
Joanne M. Elliott
This intriguing story grabs your attention from the moment you read the title. Mystery lives in its rough edges. It's about the power place has in our lives, how the earth holds our memory and how life and culture overpower our place on and in the earth.
Michelle
So......this was a surprise. I had seen this on Instagram a few times and the description sounded so interesting. Well it did not let me down. She has amazing "seeing powers" and can help when she can. And the ones she does are special. Wish I could read Spanish so I could read the original book since I know a lot is lost in translation.
kathleen g
I'm at a loss for how to categorize this novel of a young, unnamed woman, who has the ability to eat dirt and know how someone died. Is it magical realism? Coming of age? It's both but it's unusual in more ways than one. Set in an Argentinian slum, it doesn't skimp on the darkness. Her life spirals as a result of her ability; she may use it to make money but it hangs heavy. She's an interesting character, as is her brother Walter. There's violence, there's sex, there's a sense that things won't end well. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.
Monika
3.5/5⭐️ *translated from Spanish* Eartheater is a bizarre novel thats sensitive and compulsive. The unnamed narrator is our protagonist who feels compelled to eat dirt after her mother dies. From that act, she “sees” the truth behind her mother’s death. Yes, she gets visions after eating the dirt, Earth. She is the Eartheater. Abandoned by her father, she lives with her aunt and her brother Walter. Word gets out and people visit her with jars of dirt looking for answers. Ezekiel, a police officer is looking for his sister Maria. She is alive and well in Eartheater’s visions, but the mystery slowly unveils. I’m still not sure how I completely feel about the novel and characters, but its a captivating story. I wish the author included the history behind these Eartheaters. Thank you Netgalley & HarperVia for the arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
