Living Next to Horror: The Quilmes Hole and Its Neighbors through a Literary Lens
Patricia Salinas’ debut novel explores themes of identity through the story of a woman confronting her adoption and the historical trauma of her new neighborhood, adjacent to a former clandestine detention center in Argentina.
In 'Casa con pileta,' her first novel published by Planeta, Patricia Salinas delves into complex themes of identity, history, and politics through the character of Patri. As she navigates motherhood and the unsettling discovery of her adoption, Patri grapples with her family's potential ties to the victims of Argentina's harrowing dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. The narrative is not just a personal journey but is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, making her story resonate with collective experiences of loss and searching for identity.
The Pozo de Quilmes, where Patri’s new home is located, serves as a haunting reminder of the Argentine military dictatorship's brutal repression during the late 1970s. Once a clandestine detention center, it symbolizes the trauma felt by many families whose loved ones were disappeared. Through her narrative, Salinas intertwines the intimate story of her protagonist with the collective history of trauma, aiming to highlight the importance of remembering and acknowledging the past as part of the healing process.
Ultimately, Salinas’ work addresses the persistent search for identity in the shadow of historical atrocities. As Patri learns about her adoption and the possible ramifications of her family history in relation to the victims of the dictatorship, the novel raises crucial questions about identity, belonging, and the right to know one's past. This multidimensional approach not only enriches the personal narrative but also situates it within the broader context of Argentina's historical struggles, emphasizing the necessity of confronting such painful histories to pave the way for collective reconciliation and healing.