Interview with HC’s Alberto Roblest about his new book
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Hola Cultura interviews dozens of artists, writers and other Latino creatives each year as part of our mission to celebrate D.C.’s rich and unique culture. So, of course we were eager to interview Hola Cultura’s founder Alberto Roblest about “Against the Wall,” his new collection of short stories in bookstores now.
The 17 stories, which have been called “magical realism meets reality,” feature a collection of characters who “find themselves with their backs against the wall, whether literally or figuratively,” according to the book’s publisher, Arte Público Press.
Published with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, the stories explore such timely topics as immigration, police abuse and corruption, but mythical Mexican figures such as La Chingada also make appearances. It’s a collection that at times takes on the feeling of a road movie — as indeed one of the stories is titled — at times a fable or “magical realism,” but more in the tradition of the Mexican master Juan Rulfo and the better-known Gabriel García Márquez. The very first story, “Blackened Obelisk” — a darkly humorous tale with a hat tip to Franz Kafka — unfolds on the National Mall here in Washington, D.C.
This English-language collection was translated by the renowned Dr. Nicolás Kanellos, founder and director of Arte Público Press, the oldest and largest Hispanic publishing house in the U.S. When Hola Cultura’s Arts & Humanities team interviewed him this fall for an upcoming article, Kanellos said he rarely translates these days, except for “special projects that excite me… I don’t have time to do it. So, it really has to be tempting for me.”
“It is a great collection of stories,” Kanellos says. “Alberto has a great, novel perspective on life, culture and writing. He’s actually a very experimental writer, but, nevertheless, very accessible to people. He writes in direct language — beautiful language.”
Below, Alberto answers questions about the book from our S.P.E.L. Arts & Humanities storytelling team.
Alberto at D.C.’s Politics and Prose bookstore
I’m curious if you have had any specific personal experiences that led you to write this collection of stories? Or were you inspired by stories you’ve heard before? Are any of them based on actual events?
Well, your question is essentially three questions that I’ll answer in order. The death of my father in 2017 was a hard blow for me. I decided to write a story dedicated to him. That was the beginning, paying tribute to him. But I quickly discovered that I wanted to write something dedicated to other people, living and dead — sort of like homages to my literary heroes and my family, some great friends and teachers. As for whether they are based on real events, not at all. I regularly make everything up, always with one foot in reality and the other someplace else.
Why did you decide to start the book with such a surreal story? Is there anything behind it?
While I like surrealism, I do not consider myself a surrealist writer or artist. Perhaps of all the “isms,” the one I feel most associated with is postmodern Dadaism. We live in a very particular moment — full of paradoxes and nonsense. At a critical moment with climate change facing us and a political class engrossed in its usual games, I believe “Against the Wall” is a text of the moment. A product of now.
Which Latin American authors inspired you (if any), to write this book?
Juan Rulfo, without a doubt. I had to read him in school when I was 11 years old. My father really liked reading too, so there were always books at home. I read everything from comic books to “Arabian Nights,” which is pure fantasy, and from there to adventure novels and the classics. Almost all my stories are tributes to other books or authors.
Could you tell us about the process of writing this book? How did the idea start? How did it materialize?
I focus two hours of my day completely on literature, but the truth is that “Against the Wall” made itself. Before I realized it, I already had just over a hundred pages. That’s when I realized I had the makings of a book. When I finished it, I sent it in for an opinion from Arte Público Press. They liked it. Professor Kanellos did a great job, not only translating the text but also rearranging the stories.
Do you consider “Against the Wall: Stories” your most important publication?
Of course — at least, so far. I am satisfied with the result. The stories go well with each other. From the beginning of the collection, it’s clear that anything is going to be possible. It’s a book with its own rhythm and soul.
Why did you think of Dr. Nicolás Kanellos to help you translate the book?
As an author, one usually does not choose the translator. It’s a function of the publisher. Dr. Kanellos edited the book and decided to translate it himself, a decision for which I am grateful and honored. To be translated by Dr. Kanellos is just great. He translated authors such as Carmen Boullosa or other talented writers. I think he captured the book’s voice well.
While you were writing the book, did you already know how the ending was going to be or did you modify it as you wrote?
It is very different to write a book of stories compared to a novel. When it comes to stories, one must be certain that each piece of the book is a bomb — I mean, a surprise, an enigma, a doubt, a dreamscape.
Is there a story in the book that took you longer to write? Or the one that you liked the most?
I have the habit of making them little by little. First, I design my character. Sometimes it’s someone on the street who inspires me or a person traveling on the subway. Regarding which one I like the most, there are several, but Road Movie not only amuses me a lot, but it also has special meaning. It’s not dedicated to my father for nothing. The old man liked to take us to the drive-in. We had a great time.
“Against the Wall” is on sale now bookstores around the country and online. A Spanish version of this short story collection will be out in 2022 from Arte Público Press.
— Questions by S.P.E.L.’s Arts & Humanities storytelling team
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