Aura

I really enjoyed reading Aura. I thought it was very interesting how the author directly addresses the reader. I think that had a powerful effect while I was reading, because I was drawn into the story.  By saying “you” the author makes it seem like the reader is going through what Felipe is going through. Something else I like about Aura is how descriptive and ambiguous it is. There are many details in the book, but nothing really seems clear. For example, we are only given certain details about the house and not told why it’s as dark as it is. As we talked about in class, in magical realism the characters seem to just accept what is happening and don’t question what happens around them. In the beginning of the story, Felipe states that he has to get used to the house’s darkness because it will always be that way and he has to learn to accept it. It is interesting how he got used to everything so quickly, despite having been there for a short amount of time. Perhaps the author was inferring that he knew how to maneuver himself through the home so quickly, because he had a recollection of it since he was General Llorente. The ending was surprising because I did not expect him to be the General, despite there being hints throughout the story that indicate that he is.