Week 12: My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel

This week I read My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel and I have to say I enjoyed it, but it was not one of my favourites from the term so far. Even though this was considered a shorter read’, 170 pages still felt like a lot for me this week on top of my other classes. But I certainly appreciated the unique approach this novel took to cover important themes. 


This book brought themes of sexuality and identity, politics and activism and love and relationships to life. What was most intriguing for me throughout the novel was one of the main characters (whose name we never really learn), the Queen. This character shines a light on the struggles and obstacles of being someone who does not fully identify as a man or woman. We learn a lot about this character through her relationship with Carlos who is a university student. The queen is so completely in love with this man, however, it seems that his relationship with her gears more to when it's convenient for him. As mentioned in the lecture, there is a point where the Queen and Carlos are heading out of the city for Carlos to get some work done. As they are driving out, they are stopped by soldiers doing stop checks before letting them proceed. Carlos asks ‘the queen’ to put her yellow hat on in order to help ease the process of leaving town. I can imagine the frustration this must have had on the queen when being told to cover her appearance in situations like this. 


Further into the story, however, the queen seems to really embrace her sexuality and identity despite how difficult this must've been during the late 1980s in Santiago. Even when faced with soldiers or authorities telling her to stop, she continues to be unapologetically herself, and brave. For example, at one point she asks “Are you going to let me through? She said to the first uniformed man she encountered. The cop was so surprised by the impertinence of this prissy faggot that he hesitated … But it was already too late: In the blink of an eye, the Queen had broken through the armoured wall …” (page 66). I think this scene really demonstrates all the ways in which the queen is a strong character and brave more than anything. Leading me to my question for this week which is how do you think the novel challenges traditional notions of masculinity and gender roles? Moreover, what impact does this have on the characters' lives and relationships?

Comments

  1. JonApril 3, 2023 at 8:58 PM

    "I can imagine the frustration this must have had on the queen when being told to cover her appearance in situations like this."

    Hmm... I'm not sure I see it like that. She's not "cover[ing] her appearance," she's assuming a role, playing a part (as per the title of my lecture). And she's being useful to Carlos, distracting the soldiers in this way! It's a point at which Carlos seems to appreciate (but also take advantage) of la loca's skills at playing (something like) womanhood. It's part of her contribution to the cause.

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  2. Jordan ClarkeApril 4, 2023 at 7:31 PM

    Hi Daisy! I have to agree that this was not one of my favourites to read as well, but I do think we get a perspective that we haven't really seen yet during the term. I also touched upon the toxic traits of Carlos and the Queen of the Corners relationship in my blog as well. I think that Carlos during the beginning of the book under appreciated her and thought of her as less to him, as he always said that he would explain later which maybe could just have been him putting it off because she wouldn't understand. Later in the book however this relationship changes a little bit and he starts to respect and value her a little more. I think overall this book provided us with a view or perspective that we are not typically exposed too, which I think makes this book a really important addition to this course and its content.

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  3. KDApril 5, 2023 at 11:57 PM

    Hi Daisy! I had the same sentiments that somehow this book felt like both a short and long read at the same time. I think certain parts went on for longer than I cared for while at other times the turn of events seemed to happen at a rather swift pace (although I wonder if this is because the point of view kept switching). To answer your question, rather than challenge gender roles, I would almost describe it shining a light on the complex nature of gender roles in all its facets, however I would still say that this does have an impact on the character's lives and relationships.

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