Selva Almada has crafted a collection of stories that dismantles the notion of a pure and luminous childhood, venturing into a realm that is far more complex, unsettling, and real. In these stories, children do not merely play: they confront the mystery of death, cruelty, secrets, and an adult world that often proves incomprehensible and hostile.

Set in harsh, tension-filled rural landscapes, the stories feature protagonists who observe, question, and explore with unnerving lucidity. In their attempts to decipher the language of animals, find meaning in the unknown, or become heroes of their own stories, these children test the limits of imagination and reality.

With an immersive and at times unsettling style, Almada reveals that childhood is, in truth, a whirlwind of experiences where the sacred coexists with the dark. Lilian Almada’s illustrations accompany and enhance this atmosphere, turning the book into a true “box of wonders” that invites us to question what we think we know about growing up.

Other works by the author