This is a postmodern/surrealist sort of story in which a poet, Monsieur Pain, who is also a mesmerist, is paid off by mysterious strangers to not treat a man he had not yet known he would be asked to treat, and who he had not expected to treat at the time of the bribe. He feels awful about accepting the money, and around this same time he hears voices every so often as if coming through from another dimension or something. He tries to get to his would-be patient anyway, tries to return the money, and ends up walking around Paris either avoiding or following the people who paid him off. I'm sure I missed some symbolism along the way, along with cultural and historical references that were probably more obvious to readers when this book was published. Still, it was a fun-enough read, and short. The ending seemed a bit rushed, and the biographical summary bits at the end seemed like a cheap way of skipping the work of actually finishing off the story properly, but then again maybe that was a style popular for novellas when Bolano was writing this one. ( )

Of all the Bolaño that I have read, this one felt the least important. The most ‘minor’ of the Bolaño I have read. Nevertheless, and this is a testimony to Bolaño’s prowess, it is doubtlessly worth reading, full of deft poetry and intrigue. The laying of the scenes, the patient yet ominous clarity of the narration, the sudden happening of poetic insight—it is a satisfying read. ( )

An odd little book. Nothing really happens. Or does it? A man is followed, maybe there is a plot against another man, maybe the guy just lives in his own head. Not sure. There is a bit of a sad romance and also an intriguing epilogue. ( )

Beautiful writing, but the story dragged with dialogue. Won't give up on Bolano, though. Perhaps it could deserve more than two stars but I just couldn't get into it. ( )

3.5 Eerie and surreal, this is an engrossing but ultimately unfulfilling novella by a master. Worth it for making the protagonist a Mesmerist! ( )