A circus without a tent

 

Micaela Chirif and Carlos Yushimito
Illustrations by Jessica Valdez
Lima: Montena, 2016 / Norma, 2019
ISBN 978-612-02-1468-8

Fátima and Mateo spend the summer in Puerto Eten, a hot seaside town in northern Peru. Far from school and the responsibilities of city life, they explore fishing coves and nearby beaches. One day, they find a stranded dolphin on the shore and decide to return it to the sea. This leads them to meet Jeremías and Román. Together, they embark on a fascinating adventure where animals become their perfect companions.

Reviews
“There are many reasons to read Un circo sin carpa: poetic touches that enrich the narrative, endearing characters, dialogues filled with natural flow, a fast-paced rhythm, suspense at crucial moments, an unexpected ending—all set against the beautiful landscapes of northern Peru. Far from being didactic, this novel presents a well-structured plot that does not underestimate its readers’ ability to grasp the complex reality it portrays, as intricate as life itself. This is one of the book’s greatest achievements and another reason to recommend it to both children and adults.”
—Daniela Alcalde

Links

The whisper inside a sea shell: A circus without a tent
https://libroslijeross.blogspot.pe/2017/03/el-susurro-dentro-de-la-caracola-un.html

A circus without a tent. Fragment
https://www.megustaleer.com.co/libro/un-circo-sin-carpa/PE28843/fragmento/

“That afternoon, the sea was especially restless. The waves stirred as if a bad dream had shaken them from their sheets, and they remained in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Shortly before sunset, the boats fishing nearby had to return to shore, and a small red flag was raised in the middle of the beach as a warning. Mateo had to set aside his surfboard, which was stuck in the sand, and stayed with Fátima, who lay back, letting the now tamed six o’clock sun lull her into a soft drowsiness that had settled in her body.

Mateo chased lizards, walking nearly to the edge of the pier, and came back with a couple of seashells—only to discard them when Fátima compared them to hers. Then, he simply threw himself onto the sand and closed his eyes. It was impossible not to think about everything that had happened on this long day. Had they really rescued a dolphin and met so many strange and mysterious people? The journey from Lima felt distant now, as if not just three days, but several weeks had passed since they left, leaving their parents behind at the station.”