The Summary:
Love, be it wild or tender, often defies logic. In fact, at times, the only rationale behind the instant connection of two souls is plain magic.
Bibiña Aranda, runaway bride, wakes up in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao still wearing her wedding dress, draped in the loving arms of a naked man whose name she doesn’t know. She and the man with no clothes, Indar Zubieta, attempt to explain to the authorities how they got there. It’s a story of love at first sight and experience beyond compare, one that involves a dreamlike journey through the museum.
But the lovers’ transcendent night bears no resemblance to the crude one Detective Larramendi attempts to reconstruct. And no amount of fantastical descriptions can convince the irritated inspector of the truth.
Allende’s dreamy short story has the power to transport readers in any language, leaving them to ponder the wonders of love long after the story’s over.
via Amazon
The Review:
I greatly enjoyed this short story. I’m unsure of the circumstances, but I got it for free through Amazon, possibly as part of their Kindle First Reads. It’s outside my usual genres, but I felt like taking a chance.
This story drew me right in. I felt caught between the dreamy tale of the two lovers and the pragmatic mind of the detective investigating the break-in at the museum.
At the end, I found myself asking if I believed in love at first sight. It’s a beautiful concept, but not one I’ve ever experienced. The lovers hadn’t either until they did.
On the other hand, I do believe there are many things in this world that can’t be explained. Both their tale of how they met and fell in love instantly and the mystery at the museum are fascinating.
This is a captivating short story that you can finish in one brief sitting that will touch your imagination. You’ll soon find yourself immersed in it.
Pros:
- Short and sweet
- Mysterious
- Whimsical
Cons:
- No concrete answers are given
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely! This is a great quick read for people who just want a light, cozy mystery. People who dislike unsolved mysteries may feel dissatisfied with the ending of this tale, though.
The Rating:
This short story gets five stars!