Catalina - Hardcover

Orths, Markus

3.47

100 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1592641652 ISBN 13: 9781592641659

Publisher: Toby Pr, 2007

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Catalina is the story of Catalina d'Erauso, the 'Lieutenant Nun'. When Catalina's beloved older brother Miguel is sent to the New World to see to the family's fortunes, Catalina has only one wish: to follow him. She begins her quest by earning her education in a convent. And then, one day, she leaves. She cuts her hair, dresses in men's clothing, and becomes Francisco. Catalina develops and internalizes her new identity as a man so thoroughly that she convinces not only everyone around her - including her lovers - but eventually even herself. Her path leads her from San Sebastian to New Spain, Chile and Peru. It is the story of a despairing quest for the other - and for one's self.

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From Publishers Weekly:

German writer Orths's recounting of the miraculous and ribald life of the 17th-century Basque transvestite Catalina D'Erauso proceeds with all the manic, guileful momentum of a classic picaresque. Raised primarily by her brother, Miguel, until the age of eight, Catalina's life is thrown into tumult when Miguel leaves for South America to take over the family's New World mining business. Catalina joins a convent and at the age of 16 escapes to pursue her brother, assuming the identity of a man, Francisco Loyola, to freely make her way in the world. Accompanied by the handsome Juan Bautista de Arteaga, a doctor she meets early in her adventure, Catalina, growing ever more comfortable living as a man, eventually tracks down her brother, but their reunion is far from the joyful occasion she once had hoped for. The author's and translator's enthusiasm for the material keeps nick-of-time escapes from becoming plot cheats, while tongue-in-cheek narration and action-packed episodes (Catalina has turns as a thief, soldier and cuckolder) feed the reader's urge to root for Catalina-as-Francisco. (Oct.)
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Review:

"...a fascinating and fine story telling...a Spanish gender-bender" -- Kirkus ***Starred Review***

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