Julio Cortázar | Lecturia

Julio Cortázar: The Son of the Vampire. Summary and Analysis

One night, the vampire Duggu Van rises from his grave and enters the castle where Lady Vanda sleeps. Attracted by her beauty, he falls in love with her instead of feeding on her, and he possesses her. Shortly after, Lady Vanda becomes ill and discovers that she is pregnant. Confined within the castle, she is cared for by the nurse Miss Wilkinson, while her body steadily weakens. The doctors find no explanation. The child she carries grows in an abnormal way, absorbing her blood and transforming her. On the night of the birth, Lady Vanda’s body changes completely: her skin darkens, her sex transforms, and from her emerges a male being—the son of Duggu Van. At midnight, Duggu Van arrives, takes the hands of his son, and together they leave through the window, leaving behind the doctors and the nurse, unable to comprehend what has just happened.

Julio Cortázar: Axolotl

Axolotl is a short story by Julio Cortázar, published in 1956 in the Final del juego (End of the Game) collection. It tells the story of a man’s obsession with axolotls —amphibians native to Mexico also known as ajolotes— that he observes daily in an aquarium in Paris. Fascinated by their stillness and their eyes, the protagonist feels a deep connection with these creatures, perceiving in them a mysterious presence and a latent humanity.

Julio Cortázar: House Taken Over

In “House Taken Over” by Julio Cortázar, Irene and her brother live in an old, spacious house inherited from their ancestors. The house, full of family memories, is meticulously cared for by both, who lead a routine and quiet life. Irene spends her days knitting while her brother takes care of the housework. One day, strange noises begin to be heard from the farthest part of the house, forcing the siblings to leave certain rooms. The sounds intensify, and the siblings are forced to confine themselves to a smaller section of the house, living in a state of growing unease.

Approaching “Casa Tomada” (House Taken Over) by Julio Cortázar: Summary and Analysis of the Story

Approaching "Casa Tomada" by Julio Cortázar: Summary and Analysis of the Story

Julio Cortázar, born in Brussels in 1914 and passed away in Paris in 1984, stands as one of the fundamental pillars of 20th-century Latin American literature. His work, spanning both short narratives and novels, is distinguished by its ability to merge the real with the fantastical, crafting unique and challenging literary universes. As a short … Read more