Chilean Poet

Zambra’s (Multiple Choice; Ways of Going Home) literary novel is full of tender connection, romance, humor, and love for poetry. Parts one and two follow the passionate connections between Gonzalo, a tender-hearted poet, and Carla, an assertive, no-nonsense knockout. Later, the novel moves on to Carla’s son, Vicente, who comes of age as an aspiring poet in present-day Santiago and is faced with his own set of romantic highs and lows. Zambra provides a lighthearted homage to the legacy of Chilean poetry while following his characters through their entanglements, heartbreaks, and reunions. While sometimes sad, there is so much humor and sweetness woven into this novel that listeners will be left with a sense of joy. Gisela Chipe’s narration is lively, and her tone matches the playful, tongue-in-cheek style of Zambra’s storytelling. Chipe’s fluent Spanish ensures a seamless listening experience. Those familiar with the tradition of Latin American poetry, as well as fans of Zambra’s previous works, will find much to love here.