Los Jardines Secretos de Mogador = the Secret Gardens of the Mogador

Author and editor of the prestigious magazine Artes de M xico, Ruy S nchez has received numerous awards, including Mexico's highest literary prize, Xavier Villaurrutia, for his novel Los nombres del aire (Air's names, Alfaguara, 1996). In this first-person account, the narrator travels to Mogador, the fantastic city of human desire and sexuality, where he meets the tempting Arabian woman Jassiba. Together they visit the imaginary gardens in the city and explore sexuality, emotions, and personal desire. As the narrator delves into his soul, he comes to understand the sensuality and intimacy between men and women. Complemented with Hassan Massoudy's calligraphy, Ruy S nchez's flowing prose and magical descriptions will transport readers to lands akin to those found in 1,001 Arabian Nights. Readers will appreciate Ruy S nchez's blending of sensual and erotic poetry and prose throughout the book. The text is easy to read and well formatted. Recommended as a secondary purchase for large public library collections and academic libraries supporting graduate studies in Spanish languages and Latin American fiction.Sylvia D. Hall-Ellis, Univ. of Denver, CO