Wakolda

Style and Technique

Lucía Puenzo's style in "Wakolda" is marked by subtle elegance and restrained expressiveness, with each phrase seemingly carved from the clear glass of Patagonian air. The language of the novel is concise yet charged with hidden tension, blending narrative simplicity with an atmosphere of unease and the inner drama of the characters. Puenzo is a master of detail: the cold waters of the lakes, the harsh landscapes, and everyday objects serve not only as a backdrop but also as reflections of the characters' psychological states. The narrative is dominated by a calm, almost detached tone, which only heightens the sense of impending threat and mystery. The author skillfully weaves symbolism into the fabric of the story—dolls, measurements, medical instruments—turning them into signs that reveal the characters' motives and fears. The structure of the novel unfolds as a series of episodes, shifting with cinematic precision, where changes in perspective allow the reader to enter the minds of different characters. Puenzo avoids excessive exposition, letting ambiguity and hints create an atmosphere of anxiety and anticipation, while laconic dialogues and inner monologues lend the narrative a special psychological depth. As a result, "Wakolda" emerges as a finely orchestrated drama, where language and structure serve not only to tell the story but also to create a unique artistic world.