How I Became a Nun by César Aira is definitely one of the best short stories of the 21st century. The protagonist is so naïve and defenseless that readers are going to be swept with a wave of protectiveness over this little child with a huge heart. They say that one has to learn how to look at this world through eyes of a child, but they often forget that children notice bad things too. The world that César sees and lives in is a terrifying one. Here we have parents who turn into monsters and back, death, delirium, and what not. However, César’s loneliness is the most upsetting and terrifying theme.
César’s father proves to be a rather aggressive person. He doesn’t think twice before doing and saying something. Unlike César, the man is always ready to start a conflict or a fight. We don’t know a lot about his childhood or problems he has to deal with, but what we do know is that he is not the best father. He firmly believes that he is always right, that César’s every protest is an insincere act just to irritate him. Their relationship lacks warmth, genuineness, and mutual understanding. Why is César’s father so important? He is a perfect example of irresponsible parenthood. Insults he throws at his own child, his coldness, and lack of affection is a reason – though partially – of César’s inability to build communication with his classmates, a teacher, and other people.
Unlike her husband, César’s mother is more affectionate, but she simply doesn’t have a spare minute to spend it with the child. The poor woman believes that it is a good idea to send César to school three months late, for she doesn’t know what else to do with him. She is so eager to get rid of him at least for several hours a day that she begs school administration to accept him. That is her way to express her love. Unfortunately, César’s mother can’t see that her eagerness doesn’t do her child any good. What is more, she manages to start a quarrel with her son’s teacher. As the result, César becomes the teacher’s number one enemy. Poverty, hard work, and absence of friends become a burden for her. She forgets that César has the same problems. Just like her, he wants attention and communication.
The story of César’s life makes readers’ heart ache, for it is truly difficult to read about suffering of a little child who does nothing wrong. All the insults, terrible accusations, and threats he receives could break an adult. However, he manages to face his fears, mostly because he can’t understand the seriousness of a situation. César lives in both imaginary and real words, his fantasies become a part of reality. This child is an escapist. How I Became a Nun is a must-read for everyone. People who plant to become parents will find it useful, for the author describes children’s naivety accurately whilst younger readers can learn more about compassion.
