Amulet - Opening

ONE

This is going to be a horror story. A story of murder, detection and horror. But it won't appear to be, for the simple reason that I am the teller. Told by me, it won't seem like that. Although, in fact, it's the story of a terrible crime.

I am a friend to all Mexicans. I could say I am the mother of Mexican poetry, but I better not. I know all the poets and all the poets know me. So I could say it.

For Mario Santiago Papasquiaro

(Mexico City, 1953-1998)

In our misery we wanted to scream for help,

but there was no one there to come to our aid.

--Petronius

Copyright 1999 by the Heirs of Roberto Bolaño

Translation copyright 2006 by Chris Andrews

Originally published as Amuleto by Editorial Anagrama Spain; published

in agreement with Agencia Literaria

Carmen Balcells, Editorial

Anagrama, and the Heirs of Roberto Bolaño

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Manufactured in the United States of America.

New Directions Books are printed on acid-free paper.

First published as a New Directions Book in 2006.

Published simultaneously by Penguin Books Canada Limited.

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