October 14 episode
About My Clavicle: And Other Massive Misalignments
On an international flight to a conference, the author Marta Sanz notices a tiny bump beneath her skin, just below her clavicle, near her breastbone. So begins an inquiry that is at turns a satirical detective story, a philosophical inquiry, a memoir, and pure poetry. In Spanish, the title is Clavícula, which refers to the collarbone, but also makes a direct pun on the word clavé or key. In the aftermath of Marta’s discovery, we realize that something fundamental has changed for her, and that whatever has happened, however elusive, it is something very real. At the same time, the mystery is reflected in everything the author encounters, but especially in the bodies of women, and particularly in those of a certain age.
My Clavicle is a masterpiece of autofiction from one of Spain’s most celebrated contemporary voices–the narration of the episodes fracturing like the author’s body into a deeply moving series of vignettes that never lose their tension: imperfect, obsessive, and often hilarious. The difficulty of giving a name to Marta’s pain, of even locating a precise place for it, provokes a number of reflections: about the edge that separates the body from scientific definitions and imagination; about the function of poetry; about our intolerance for psychological gray areas; about anxiety as a pathology of late stage capitalism; and, in the face of constantly dispiriting headlines, the perversion of a public health system. Ultimately, Marta’s attempts to define something impossible are channeled through her strange and roving pain, manifesting in curiosity, humor, and love. Click here to buy the book!
Meet author Marta Sanz Pastor: Born in 1967 in Madrid, Marta is a Spanish writer whose work includes the novels Susana y los viejos (nominated for the Premio Nadal), Daniela Astor y la caja negra (winner of the Premio Juan Tigre and the Premio Calamo), Los mejores tiempos (winner of the Premio Ojo Crítico de Narrativa). and most recently Farandula, which won the 2015 Premio Herralde. She is also a noted poet, including the award-winning collection, Vintage.
Meet the book’s translator, Katie King: A journalist, scholar, and literary translator whose poetry and prose translations from the Spanish have appeared in print and online, Katie holds a PhD in Hispanic Studies and is a Harvard Nieman Fellow. She has lived and worked as a foreign correspondent in Spain and Latin America. Her research focuses on the evolution of translation and translation studies in the digital age, and on the literature of Spain in translation to English. Read her essays here.
Meet the literary event’s translator Magdalena Navarro: Originally from Barcelona, Magdalena is a Spanish & Catalan to English conference interpreter currently based in Washington D.C. She obtained her MA in Conference Interpretation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and holds BAs in Journalism and East Asian Studies. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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Elaine’s Literary Salon
About Elaine’s: A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selection is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are based on exquisite food found in Alexandria, Egypt — a combination of Middle Eastern with French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.
