Diana, job-jobless and bankrupt after the death of her parents, is
subjected harassment of every kind in order to find and keep a job during the
economic crisis. She gets a half-decent job at a multinational corporation. A
writer (the narrator) who’s been prosecuted for the alleged obscenity of his
novel, witnesses the developments from the window of the cabaret where he now
works, across the road from her office. He offers her a job as a stripper at
the cabaret and, in total rebellion against her situation, she accepts. The
association is a success, and the public loves her. She becomes as popular with
them as resented by her “colleagues”. This prompts them to stage their own
show somewhere else, to surprisingly even greater audiences. Eventually, his
past catches up with them and their dreams of a better life and of personal
freedom are finally shattered.
El trabajo is a remarkable novel that explores
non-conventional types of eroticism and the daily exploitation of human beings.
Praise for El trabajo:
“El trabajo
can be read as a social or a political novel, but also as a work of erotic
fiction. The label does not matter. It is simply a wonderful novel.” Radar Libros, (Página/12)
“The first impression upon reading El
trabajo is that it is a necessary work.” La
Voz
“Can a novel that entwines
eroticism, social critique and a denunciation of gender oppression be a great
novel? And still be a pleasure to read? Aníbal Jarkowski shows that this is indeed the case. Can’t be missed.” Gabriela Cabezón Cámara