For this last reading, I listened to the audiobook since my mom has a subscription with Amazon, and it was cheaper than buying it brand new. And, oh boy, was I in for a ride. It took me a couple of da to listen to the whole thing since I mainly listened to it at work, but it was special. A part of me wants to re-read it on my own just because I want to know how the experience would change. It was a unique experience. The main factor I attribute its uniqueness to is how it is written, in a way without chapters, and it is just a stream of moments, decisions and events. It did remind me of a. dream. And I don’t know if it is a placebo effect from the title, but the narrative style and how the book plays out when being read resemble a fever dream. Where not everything is explained or followed with an exact reason but for a reason, you have an idea of what is going on, and that is so very for whichever reason, the whole setting of the book just seemed aery to me.
Regarding the story, I also really enjoyed it. I will say that since there was Amanda’s narrative and then Davids and the whole recalling and sifting through memories did make it a complicated read/hearing at times, mainly because sometimes I thought something was happening in real-time to realize later it was memory since they are both written in the present tense, but in a sense that is also what gives it that sense of a fever dream and eariness I mentioned before, which made the book ultimately an exciting read. Something I found captivating was David, and more specifically, his attention to detail and what he considers to be necessary, at times that did stress me out a bit since the more logical narrative and what I thought was important was dismissed with whatever Davidad thought was important, which only added to the tension.
I think, at times, the story leaves you with more questions than answers, and after the first hour of listening, I gave up trying to find the answers and just accompanied the narrative in a sense. That is also what some of the characters do at times.
Also, I found the lack of details interesting in that it
needs to be clear how Amanda and David are talking or when or where.
Anywho, my question for you this week is. What do you think about the phrase “Rescue distance” in Spanish that was initially the book’s title in “Distancia de Rescate”? Why do you think the title in English is different?
katherine
April 9, 2023 — 7:19 pm
Great question and post! I think it somewhat superficially comes down to how “Rescue Distance” isn’t as catchy as “Fever Dream” in English. I think both titles effectively represent the book, but the former is more distinct- there are many books that could be described as being a “fever dream”. When I first read the phrase “rescue distance” I had to reread it to actually understand what it meant. It’s quite awkward wording, but I cannot think of any better translations.
julia gomez-coronado dominguez
April 10, 2023 — 10:05 pm
Hello montse, loved your post and your throughts about the story and the style of the book! Answering your question, I don’t know the exact reason why the tittle is different in English compared to the original “Distancia de Rescate” in Spanish. However, I can imagine why they decided to name it as “Fever Dream” in English, and although I would nornally say that it is better to stick to the original version, in thsi case I prefer the title in the english version. As you mention in your post, the process of reading the book sometimes feels like a dream, you can’t tell apart the fiction from the reality, and you feel confused and lost at certain points. Similarly, I would say that “Fever Dream” is a metaphor of what Amanda is feeling and experiencing too, confusion and delirium.
Rebeca Ponce
April 12, 2023 — 3:59 pm
Hi Montse! That’s such an interesting question and I think it is easier to “process” the name ‘Fever Dream’ rather than ‘Rescue distance’. I had to really think about what the name meant, even when I read it in Spanish. I think it is simply easier for readers not to feel “intimidated” by a name as “normal” as Fever Dream rather than some deep, complex name
Deeba Mehr
April 12, 2023 — 9:31 pm
Hi Montse! I think you pose a good question. I like the phrasing of “rescue distance” because it’s a concept that I saw a lot around me growing up, be it my friends’ parents or my own, the idea that you shouldn’t be too far away in case something happens. I never really had a neat little phrase to describe it though, so I’m glad I can now use “rescue distance” to convey the meaning. As for the English title, I’m guessing the publishers thought that if the title were more “horrific” it might appeal more to customers who want to buy a horror book? Not really sure though.