First Impression Friday will be a meme where you talk about a book that you JUST STARTED! Maybe you’re only a chapter or two in, maybe a little farther. Based on this sampling of your current read, give a few impressions and predict what you’ll think by the end.

Synopsis:

Writing at the peak of his powers, after the tremendous success of Kiss of the Spider Woman, Manuel Puig gives us a tour de force of paranoia and sexual obsession by taking us deep into the unconscious and conscious lives of two women. Cunningly crafted, Pubis Angelical combines elements of the espionage and suspense thriller and science fiction, as it tells, by turns, two intricately related tales…about a Viennese actress in the late 1930s, “the most beautiful woman in the world,” married to a German weapons manufacturer, who possesses a secret sought by spies from Russia, Germany, America…and about Ana, a woman of the 1970s, convalescing in a hospital bed in Mexico City, a refugee from Argentina who is reflecting on her relationships with men.

It’s the end of the workweek—yay! I hope the week has been kind to everyone and that you’re all ending it on a high note. Just like that, we are already midway through the second month of the year—the so-called love month. Time flies! It still feels like yesterday that the year just started. At times, it feels like nothing of consequence has happened, yet at the same time, it also feels like a lot has happened. Nevertheless, I hope the year is providing everyone with plenty of opportunities to grow and be better. With the weekend looming, I hope everyone has a great one and ends the workweek on a high note. It is now time to dress down and wear more comfortable clothes. I hope you spend the weekend wisely—whether by resting from the rigors of a demanding career, pursuing your passions, completing household chores, spending time with loved ones, or simply relaxing. I hope you’re all doing well—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Like the previous weeks, the past week has been tedious. I am getting more involved in my new work, but at every turn, I encounter a new challenge. Still, I am slowly getting my groove back. I am gradually putting on my accounting hat again after nearly two years in risk management. There are certainly several avenues for change and improvement. It seems like a tall task, and I hope I survive it. I hope things get whipped into shape soon. To commence my reading year, I started a literary journey across Latin American literature. Toward the end of 2025, I realized it had been some time since I dedicated a full month to this region—the last time was toward the end of 2023. With several more works by Latin American and Caribbean writers lined up, I have decided to extend this journey into February. This journey has taken me to familiar territories while also introducing me to writers whose oeuvres I have yet to explore.

Among the new names I am reading for the first time is Manuel Puig, whom I first encountered through an online bookseller. Apparently, his novel Kiss of the Spider Woman was a literary sensation and was even adapted into a film starring Jennifer Lopez. I had hoped to acquire a copy of the book; alas, the opportunity never came. Instead, I came across a different work, Pubis Angelical, through an online bookseller. Surprise, surprise! Without further ado, I acquired a copy because I am curious about the Argentine writer’s body of work and intend to make it part of my ongoing literary journey across Latin America. Interestingly, I had thought Puig was Puerto Rican. I only learned today that he was Argentine. Apparently, he was also a prominent LGBTQ activist. This makes me look forward even more to exploring his oeuvre. On top of this, he joins a very rare group of Argentine writers whose works I have read—so far.

Pubis Angelical was originally published in 1979. The opening line alone caught my fancy: “Streaks of moonlight filtered through the curtain’s lace toward the satin pillow, which soaked them up. The hand of the new bride, beside her dark hair, offered its palm up defenselessly. Her sleep appeared serene.” I find it lyrical; the same can be said for the rest of the narrative. The story’s opening chapters introduce us to the “Mistress.” She is a Viennese actress in the years leading up to World War II. She has been ensnared in a marriage with a wealthy German munitions magnate, known simply as the Master. The Mistress is described as the “most beautiful woman in the world,” almost akin to “the face that launched a thousand ships.” There seem to be parallels in their story, as the Mistress soon finds herself swept up in intrigue. There are secrets lurking that will be unveiled as the story unfolds.

A second narrative thread eventually unfolds—the story alternates between these two threads. The second thread is set in the 1970s. An Argentine woman named Ana is confined to a Mexican sanatorium, where she is battling cancer. We learn that before entering the sanatorium, she escaped a troubled marriage. The political upheavals in her homeland further fueled her desire to flee. As the story progresses, a common thread begins to tie the two narratives together—at least to the point I have read. Both women reflect on their relationships with men. There is also an element of suspense, as the Mistress finds herself at the heart of what appears to be a conspiracy. These different elements make for an intriguing and compelling reading experience—or at least I hope the story continues to engage me as it did at the start.

One interesting facet of Puig’s writing, I’ve learned, is his reference to popular culture. He had an extensive background in film and television, which he incorporated into his writing. It is said that among his works, Pubis Angelical is the most influenced by pop culture. I suppose this is where the novel’s cinematic atmosphere comes from. I can’t say I’m not intrigued by the story. Not only does it allow me to explore a different world, but it also expands my exposure to Argentine—and consequently, Latin American—literature. I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds and how the events surrounding them impact the characters’ lives. How about you, fellow reader? What are you reading this weekend? I hope you’re enjoying your current book. Happy weekend!