Maria Gainza; translated by Thomas Bunstead
Optic Nerve by Maria Gainza, translated from the Spanish by Thomas Bunstead, is in the first-person voice of an Argentinian woman who peppers stories of her past and present with reflections on paintings that hold significance for her.
The novel has no plot, per se. It unfolds in a series of vignettes or snapshots about the narrator’s life and family. These are punctuated with her recollections of a specific painting. The reverse is true since specific paintings conjure up scenes from her past. The scaffolding of a half-built house reminds her of Hubert Robert’s paintings of ruins. A flashback of a visit to the seaside triggers her recollection of seeing Gustave Corbet’s “The Stormy Sea.” The poster of a Rothko painting in a doctor’s waiting room prompts her to remember her husband’s hospital stay.
Pivotal moments in the narrator’s life are intricately bound with the paintings she describes. In each case, she delves briefly into the artist’s biography and includes some intriguing anecdotes about his life which have the effect of demystifying the artist. But where she excels is in her analysis of each painting and in demonstrating the impact it has had on her perceptions and her life. Her allusions are quirky and fascinating. She braids art works seamlessly into her life: a painting triggers a flashback; a flashback or an image triggers her reflections on a painting. We gain insight into the narrator through snippets of her life, through how she perceives the painting, and through her evolving perceptions.
The narrator’s experience of art is unfiltered, genuine, and deeply felt. She integrates the aesthetic experience into her life. Her observations of each painting are astute and original; her engagement is immersive. She sustains reader interest through her conversational style and her fresh discussion of paintings and their artists.
The novel’s structure is unique; the format, meandering. The whole is thoughtfully executed with a discerning eye for detail. And in case we need reminding, the narrator demonstrates the transformative power works of art can have on our perceptions and our lives.
A compelling and engaging read. Highly recommended.