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nicolemillo's review
reflective
medium-paced
I don’t agree with all of Aira’s thoughts here but a lot of this was relatable and it’s so interesting to get a peak at his creative perspective on writing.
drewsof's review
5.0
A sweet non-novel from Aira, more of a musing on time and life and writing than anything plotty or much resembling many of his works available in English. It’s a nice read for a spring Sunday, to remind a person of their place in the world (in a good way).
vonnegutian's review
4.0
'To write you have to be young; to write well you have to be a young prodigy. By the time you get to fifty, much of that energy and precision [that makes for good writing] is gone.'
'All my life I pursued knowledge, but I pursued it outside of time, and time took its revenge by unfolding elsewhere.'
This book is not so much about a birthday but signifies (or rather 'signified' as this UK edition has been released some 20 years later and Aira is now 70 years old not 50) a point in the author's life where he takes stock of his existence. Upon realising he has incorrectly learnt the explanation for moon phases, he ruminates on other gaps in his 'knowing', his limitations, time's passing and what he has done in its stead.
Despite being only 93 pages long, it is a complex and thoughtful blend of ten mini-essays, loosely orbiting the idea of frailty and purpose especially in relation to the unnoticeable and irretrievable passing of time. I have previously only read one of Aira's novels and I think to have read a greater number would have enriched reading this. Even so, there were lots of interesting (not to mention sobering!) reflections here, reminding us that time waits for no one; cherish the fraction you have been given.
'All my life I pursued knowledge, but I pursued it outside of time, and time took its revenge by unfolding elsewhere.'
This book is not so much about a birthday but signifies (or rather 'signified' as this UK edition has been released some 20 years later and Aira is now 70 years old not 50) a point in the author's life where he takes stock of his existence. Upon realising he has incorrectly learnt the explanation for moon phases, he ruminates on other gaps in his 'knowing', his limitations, time's passing and what he has done in its stead.
Despite being only 93 pages long, it is a complex and thoughtful blend of ten mini-essays, loosely orbiting the idea of frailty and purpose especially in relation to the unnoticeable and irretrievable passing of time. I have previously only read one of Aira's novels and I think to have read a greater number would have enriched reading this. Even so, there were lots of interesting (not to mention sobering!) reflections here, reminding us that time waits for no one; cherish the fraction you have been given.
paulogonzalez's review against another edition
3.0
No hay trama, no hay personajes. Arracando con su 50 cumpleaños, esa es la excusa para realizar una reflexión constante, en la que divaga sobre el porqué de escribir. Es más un diario deslabazado que una novela. Dotado de una falsa profundidad, resulta demasiado pretencioso para mi gusto, aunque es innegable reconocer la calidad estilística de Aira (no he leído nada más suyo).
tspangler1970's review
3.0
I wanted this to tell me the secret to turning 50 gracefully, and it did not. In fact, his conclusion was pretty pessimistic. But I enjoyed his voice and want to read more of his books — have for a while now.
selenotropic's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
A very charming little diary of a very erudite man reflecting on life and knowledge on his 50th birthday. Won't blow your mind, but a neat look into the mind of an interesting man.
ericapoole's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This is a very short little book, with little musings of a writer at 50. It does make me very intrigued to read his fiction, because I seem to enjoy the way his mind works. This is generally very loosely connected thoughts that I tended to enjoy reading but I'm not sure added up to much at the end. However, that probably sums up Aira's views on life anyway.
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