Benzin

When Heribert wakes up next to his beloved Hildegarda on the morning of January 1st, he realizes that not only has a new year begun, but his entire world has changed. Heribert is a successful painter – the problem is: he is no longer interested in art. Suddenly, women and everything that once mattered to him have become indifferent. He drifts through New York, indulging in absurdly humorous thought games, and accidentally discovers that his wife, the gallery owner Helena, is having an affair. After an accident, Heribert finds himself in the hospital, and Helena seizes her chance to pave the way for her young lover Humbert into the art scene (and into her life). Humbert unexpectedly steps into Heribert's role, and the next successful artist's career can begin. "Benzin" is a witty and biting satire and a keen parody of the art world, an ironically entertaining novel in which Quim Monzó explores the artist's existence, success, failure, personal crises, competition, and the entire field of human relationships for our literary enjoyment.