This is the first collection of short stories written by Roberto Bolaño, the author of 2666. It is composed of fourteen stories and the protagonist of most of the stories is B, a Chilean exile who wanders purposelessly around in South America and Europe. It is through him that the stories of others are connected. All the stories are about the disillusioned exiles of Bs own time, about their struggle on the verge of the society and how they are trapped in nightmares. It is as if they were living in a dream, changing their images, names or background constantly. Critics generally hold the view that the brilliant skills Bolaño displays in his short stories are as good that those of Kafka and Borges.