Amparo Dávila

The Last Summer (El último verano) is a short story by Amparo Dávila, published in 1977 in the book Árboles petrificados (Petrified Trees). It tells of the anguish of a middle-aged woman who, after having raised six children and feeling the wear and tear of the years, unexpectedly discovers that she is pregnant again. Far from joyfully receiving the news, she experiences a deep despair as her body and spirit are exhausted. As the sweltering summer progresses, her fatigue and sense of confinement intensify, plunging her into growing hopelessness. Soon, her everyday world begins to turn into a nightmare.

Summary of “The Houseguest.” “The Houseguest” (El Huésped) by Amparo Davila, included in her 1959 collection “Tiempo destrozado,” is set in a remote village. The plot revolves around a married woman and mother trapped in an unhappy and routine life, reduced to a mere object for her husband. The story begins with the arrival of … Read more