Argentinian author Samanta Schweblin has delivered another mesmerizing collection with Seven Empty Houses, translated by Megan McDowell, that continues to establish her reputation as one of contemporary literature's most distinctive voices. This anthology of seven carefully crafted stories explores the unsettling spaces between reality and perception, where ordinary domestic settings become stages for psychological drama.
The Unsettling World of Domestic Spaces
Schweblin masterfully transforms seemingly ordinary houses into landscapes of tension and mystery. Each story revolves around residential spaces that become anything but comforting homes. Instead, these structures serve as containers for human anxieties, unspoken fears, and the complex relationships that unfold within their walls. The author demonstrates remarkable skill in finding the extraordinary within the mundane, turning everyday situations into profound explorations of the human condition.
The collection opens with "None of That," where a mother and daughter engage in the peculiar ritual of breaking into strangers' houses. What begins as an eccentric habit gradually reveals deeper emotional currents and unspoken needs between the two characters. This story sets the tone for the entire collection, establishing Schweblin's talent for blending the bizarre with the emotionally resonant.
Masterful Storytelling Techniques
Schweblin's writing style distinguishes itself through its precision and emotional impact. Her sentences are crafted with careful attention, each word carrying significant weight in building atmosphere and developing characters. The translation by Megan McDowell successfully preserves the distinctive rhythm and tone of Schweblin's original Spanish, allowing English-speaking readers to experience the full impact of her prose.
Throughout the collection, Schweblin demonstrates exceptional control over narrative tension. She understands exactly how much information to reveal and when to hold back, creating stories that linger in the reader's mind long after the final page. This technique is particularly evident in stories like "It Happens All the Time in This House," where the gradual unfolding of events creates a sense of mounting dread while maintaining compelling readability.
The Blurring of Moral Boundaries
One of the most striking aspects of Seven Empty Houses is how Schweblin navigates moral ambiguity. The stories consistently challenge conventional distinctions between good and evil, instead presenting characters whose motivations and actions exist in gray areas. This moral complexity adds depth to the narratives, inviting readers to question their own assumptions about right and wrong.
The collection explores various relationships, particularly focusing on family dynamics under stress. Parent-child relationships, marital tensions, and the weight of caregiving responsibilities recur throughout the stories, always presented with psychological insight and emotional authenticity. Schweblin has a particular talent for capturing the unspoken tensions that exist within families, those moments of misunderstanding and connection that define human relationships.
Readers familiar with Schweblin's previous works, including the acclaimed Fever Dream and Little Eyes, will recognize her signature style in this new collection. However, Seven Empty Houses represents a refinement of her craft, demonstrating even greater control over her material and deeper psychological insight. The collection has been shortlisted for the 2022 National Book Award for Translated Literature, recognizing both Schweblin's original writing and McDowell's skillful translation.
What makes these stories particularly effective is their ability to operate on multiple levels. They function as compelling narratives that keep readers engaged while simultaneously exploring deeper themes of loneliness, connection, and the search for meaning in everyday life. Schweblin transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, finding profound emotional truth in the most unexpected places.
For readers seeking thought-provoking literary fiction that challenges conventions and explores the complexities of human relationships, Seven Empty Houses offers a richly rewarding experience. Schweblin continues to push the boundaries of what short fiction can accomplish, creating stories that are simultaneously unsettling and deeply moving.
