Streamlined Title: Speechless: Selected Stories (New York Review Books Classics)

One of the greatest South American writers of the 20th century, Julio Ramón Ribeyro, is now available in English for the first time. His collection of deeply humane stories depicts the lives of marginalized populations. Ribeyro, a Peruvian writer, is considered a master of the short story and a major contributor to the great flourishing of Latin American literature that followed the Second World War. In a letter to an editor, Ribeyro expressed his intention in writing these stories: "in most of [them] those who are deprived of words in life find expression—the marginalized, the forgotten, those condemned to an existence without harmony and without voice. I have restored to them the breath they've been denied, and I've allowed them to modulate their own longings, outbursts, and distress."

This work is imbued with a disorienting lyricism that is uniquely Ribeyro's. Edited and translated by Katherine Silver, The Word of the Speechless introduces readers to an indispensable and unforgettable voice of Latin American fiction. Ribeyro's stories are a testament to his deep humanity, as he gives voice to those who have been silenced or overlooked in society.

Through his masterful storytelling, Ribeyro invites readers to empathize with the plight of the marginalized, the forgotten, and those condemned to an existence without harmony and without voice. His characters, often the downtrodden and the disenfranchised, are brought to life with a poetic and haunting resonance.

Ribeyro's contribution to the rich tapestry of Latin American literature is undeniable. His stories, infused with a disorienting lyricism, offer a glimpse into the lives of those who have been denied the opportunity to express themselves. The Word of the Speechless, now available in English, serves as a powerful and important addition to the canon of world literature.

Katherine Silver's skilled translation ensures that Ribeyro's unique voice is preserved and accessible to a wider audience. Through her work, readers from around the world can now engage with Ribeyro's deeply humane stories and be transported to the marginalized world he so vividly portrays.

In this collection, Ribeyro has given breath to the voiceless, allowing them to modulate their own longings, outbursts, and distress. His stories are a testament to the power of literature to amplify the stories of the forgotten and the marginalized, giving them a platform to be heard and understood.

The Word of the Speechless is an essential addition to the library of any reader interested in exploring the depth and richness of Latin American fiction. Ribeyro's indispensable and unforgettable voice, as presented in this collection, is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of storytelling.

product information: