Lob der Stiefmutter

It is a little but perfectly composed novel. Vargas-Llosa included even seven paintings – ranging from Rembrandt to Francis Bacon – as reproductions into the text. Some of the paintings depict a famous scene of the Greek-Roman mythology.
Each chapter of the main story is followed by a related story based on various legends, the interpreted view of the painter on the legend and on Vargas-Llosa’s own imagination when he is watching these paintings. This made me me to explore the paintings themselves. Can I really see what he sees? These chapters alone are worth to be read.
The surrounding story is located in Lima. The 40-year old Doña Lucrecia married Don Rigoberto. She is his great passion. He found is life’s destiny where he can be perfect: taking care of his own body to make love to Lucrecia. The detailed descriptions how he prepares himself for his wife are hilarious. Lucrecia’s biggest concern is Don Rigoberto’s 10-year old son of a former marriage. Will he accept her, or will he undermine her relationship? All the opposite, the little son implores her for love to him. But their first hug disturbs her since this innocent, little cherubim kisses her mouth in ecstasies and accidental touches here breasts. I stop here since the novel starts now and accelerates until the end.