Advertisement
Books

Savage Theories by Pola Oloixarac review – breathing chaotic life into the streets of Buenos Aires

Latin American literary star’s debut novel published in the UK for the first time

From Alexandra Kollontai’s Love of Worker Bees to Sheena Patel’s I’m a Fan, women’s novels have long focused on the ideological stances of men versus their inability to put these political ideals into practice. Argentine writer Pola Oloixarac’s Savage Theories explores the lives of the idealists, activists and academics fighting for their sexual and political freedom at the time of Argentina’s Dirty War, while highlighting those who spout ideology and those who live it.

While unflinchingly maximalist throughout, Oloixarac’s rich prose hits its heights through characterisation, as a person’s upbringing, political philosophy and sexual preferences offer a rich tapestry of unique individuals, whose kinks may differ but are unified in their relentless pursuit of sexuality.

I will say that as the novel quickly flips from Trotsky to Aristotle, from Roman military tactic to Argentinian 1970s cinema, it is one best read without distraction rather than fumbling through these references on a busy commute. Oloixarac’s mockery of academia is quickly apparent but sometimes these passages become so convoluted that one can get lost, feeling like the joke is perhaps too smart for its own good. 

The bizarre lives of the young students driven by their philosophical curiosity, which manifests in a willingness to experiment no matter how disappointing the outcome, creates a disconnect with the professors who now espouse the values of an unconventional life without living it.

Where Savage Theories succeeds best is in the drug-addled misadventures of its youth, breathing wild and chaotic life into the streets of Buenos Aires. Oloixarac’s freedom is messy and often dissatisfying but maintains open-minded praxis.

Savage Theories by Pola Oloixarac is out now (Profile Books, £10.99). You can buy it from the Big Issue shop on bookshop.org, which helps to support Big Issue and independent bookshops.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us moreBig Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Hedonist ex-MP Victor Grayson tried to expose corruption and scandal. Then he disappeared forever
Corruption

Hedonist ex-MP Victor Grayson tried to expose corruption and scandal. Then he disappeared forever

Top 5 gritty thrillers, chosen by viral sensation and best-selling author Lloyd Devereux Richards
Books

Top 5 gritty thrillers, chosen by viral sensation and best-selling author Lloyd Devereux Richards

The Summer We Ate Off the China by Devin Jacobsen review – digging for deepest meaning
Books

The Summer We Ate Off the China by Devin Jacobsen review – digging for deepest meaning

How four women raged a secret propaganda war against the Nazis during World War II
World War II

How four women raged a secret propaganda war against the Nazis during World War II

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue