Plot summary, “The Infatuations” by Javier Marías in 2 Minutes - Book Review
0"The Infatuations" (Spanish: "Los enamoramientos") is a novel written by Spanish author Javier Marías. The book was originally published in 2011 in Spanish and has since been translated into multiple languages. "The Infatuations" is a thought-provoking work of contemporary fiction that explores complex themes of love, obsession, chance, and the nature of reality.
The story is narrated by María Dolz, a woman who works in a publishing house in Madrid. María's life is largely uneventful until she becomes infatuated with a couple she observes having breakfast in a café near her workplace. She nicknames them "the Perfect Couple" and constructs her own narratives about their lives. This initial infatuation sets the stage for a profound exploration of love, desire, and the human propensity to create stories to make sense of the world.
However, the novel takes a dark turn when one of the members of the Perfect Couple is murdered. María becomes entangled in the aftermath of the murder, forming connections with the surviving spouse and with the deceased's close friend. She begins to question her own obsession with the couple and grapples with the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise from her involvement in the investigation.
Javier Marías is known for his intricate and philosophical writing style, and "The Infatuations" is no exception. The novel delves deep into the philosophical exploration of the uncertainty of reality, the unreliable nature of human perception, and the stories we tell ourselves to cope with the unpredictable and often tragic events in life. Marías' narrative is marked by its reflective and introspective quality, and it blurs the lines between the real and the imagined.
"The Infatuations" has received critical acclaim for its exploration of the human psyche, the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, and the uncertainty of existence. It is a novel that challenges the reader to question the nature of truth, perception, and the stories we construct to make sense of our lives.