Solenoid (novel)
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| Author | Mircea Cărtărescu |
|---|---|
| Translator | Sean Cotter |
| Language | Romanian |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Humanitas |
Publication date | 2015[1] |
| Publication place | Romania |
Published in English | 2022 |
| Pages | 672[1] |
| ISBN | 9789735055998 |
Solenoid is a 2015 novel by Mircea Cărtărescu written in the 2010s[1] and, according to Cărtărescu, in a single draft without revision.[2][3] The English translation by Sean Cotter was published in 2022.[1]
The book tells the story of a Romanian teacher who used to be an aspiring author. It was received positively by critics and prompted comparisons to Borges and Kafka due to its absurdist plot.
The novel is presented as a manuscript by an unnamed Romanian writer in the 1980s who claims he will not publish the manuscript. The novel begins with the narrator, an elementary school teacher, describing lice he got from his students. He then begins to reminisce on his life and failed career as an author.
Born in Bucharest in 1956, he suffers from paresis. After finishing his military service, he went to major in literature at a university. While there, he shared an epic poem with his peers at a writing workshop but was ridiculed for it. He later claims he is glad that he wasn't successful in publishing the work.[1] Six distinct solenoids appear throughout the novel.[4]
The novel's protagonist's life intentionally contrasts Cărtărescu's life. For example, the latter presented an epic poem at a workshop to acclaim whereas the former was poorly received in his attempt.[2]
