A parable rich in imagery and meaning,The Surprising Adventures of Balthazarprovides readers of all ages with profound insights into the nature of authority, power, and freedom. The tale begins when a polar bear named Balthazar is captured by hunters and put in a city zoo in Chile. But Balthazar is no ordinary bear, for he faces his grim situation with an uncanny wisdom, a sense of humor, and a strong self-reliance. Originally written in 1974,The Surprising Adventures of Balthazarcan also be read as an allegory of the human rights violations and atrocities committed by the Chilean military dictatorship in the aftermath of the 1973 coup. This bilingual edition makes it available to English-language readers for the first time.
Claudio Orrego Vicuña(1939–82) was a Chilean sociologist, journalist, professor, and a member of Parliament.Christine Cervenakis a lawyer who has workeed for two decades in human rights and conflict resolution.Alejandra Méndez, a professional translator and English teacher, works at Harvard University’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies in Santiago.
Combined Spanish/English Edition
Preface
The First Day
The Days of Fear
The Day of the Baptism
A Day of Friendship
A Day of Rebellion
A Day of Nostalgia
A Day of Kindness
A Thousand Faces of a Day
The Long Day of Freedom
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