The Luminous Novel

The Luminous Novel by Mario Levrero

The author received a Guggenheim grant to finish the novel that he started a decade and half prior. He slowly spends the money, feeling guilty because he is not making progress. He does keep a diary. However, this is mostly a diary of procrastination. He spends an inordinate amount of time on his computer. He will often use Word to type his diary. However, he also works on his macro to combine various various files together in one entry. He creates other VB scripts to notify him of certain things and do operations. He spends a lot of time playing games, even talks about win streaks of around 100 games in various card games. He loves downloading programs from the internet and will work to renew shareware nag screens. One time he wrote to the developer in Texas, asking to remove the nag in exchange for a story. (He did not have a credit card and the Uruguayan mail is notorious for stealing.) It is around the turn of the millenia, and online access is still primarily by dial-up on a metered line. He tries to regulate his expenses to not spend too much. However, he occasionally finds himself on pornography or software downloading binges.

The computer is not the only thing that keeps him from completing his novel. He typically does not go to sleep until after sunrise. This makes it a challenge to complete errands - especially involving government offices. Getting an air conditioner was a complex endeavor.  He has various women in his life, but most are companions who take the old guy for a walk. (Though he still graves the sexual relationships.) He enjoys detective novels and will check out the book sellers for ones to add to his collection. He observes the world around him. There is a long running commentary on a dead pigeon on the roof next door. The "widow" appears and spends time with him. Later other suitors come. The widow has a new spouse and children. Over years there is still pigeon activity, yet the corpse of the dead pigeon still remains.

The diary starts out with frequent entries. There are some that were originally in pen and some originally on the computer. As time progresses, the frequency of entries starts to decrease. He also includes some dreams that he had, deaths of friends and some of the background for events and people that he has discussed. He occasionally runs writing workshops which provide some income. His ex-wife is his doctor. He spent some time living with friends after separation before he finally got his own place. In the past he ran a bookstore. The diary is a diary, yet it ends up somewhere between a novel and a memoir. It is relatable and interesting. It can be picked up and read in pieces or consumed together.

The last 100 pages or so are the actual luminous novel. This is a step down from the diary part. It feels he is trying too hard to be profound. The novel is also autobiographical, but it was mostly from his younger days. It is more focussed on women, with a helping of dreams, ghosts and animal observations. He details his sexual activities, including experiences with prostitutes. (It is not a great experience, but he can look at it remotely as well as in the moment.)  The most appealing part was his chass-playing friendship with a priest and his eventual first communion experience. The book would probably have been better if the actual novel part were excluded.