David Unger – författare

Set in strife-torn Guatemala City in the early 1980s, this sophisticated, quasi-comedic tale depicts the decline and near-fall of a prominent Guatemalan Jewish family.

Antipoems: New and Selected, a fresh bilingual gathering as well as retrospective of the work of Chile’s foremost poet, reintroduces him to North American readers after thirteen years. Though he has been hardly unproductive, the politics of his homeland have channeled his inventiveness into new modes of expression, which remind us of the sometimes sly hermeticism of Italian writers, Eugenio Montale and Elio Vittorini among them, during the Fascist regime. As Frank MacShane makes clear in his introduction, Parra has not tried to escape repression, but by “using his wit and his humor, he has shown how the artist can still speak the truth in troubled times.” Since much of Parra’s early work is now out of print, editor David Unger has included many of the poems which influenced North American poets such as Ferlinghetti and Merton in the ‘50s and ‘60s, some in new or revised translations. Of Parra’s more recent work, there are generous selections from Artifacts (1972), Sermons and Preachings of the Christ of Elqui (1977), New Sermons and Preachings of the Christ of Elqui(1979), Jokes to Mislead the Police (1983), Ecopoems (1983), Recent Sermons(1983), and a section of “Uncollected Poems” (1984). Antipoems: New and Selected is edited by David Unger, who contributed many of the translations to Enrique Lihn’s The Dark Room and Other Poems (New Directions, 1978). Professor Frank MacShane of Columbia University, in his critical introduction, gives a full evaluation of a poet who is “unquestionably one of the most influential and accomplished in Latin America today, heir to the position long held by his countryman, Pablo Neruda.”

"Evoking both Kafka and Conrad, Unger’s character study of a broken man in a culture broken by a ravenous corporation makes compelling reading."--Booklist"Unger does a great job with fish-out-of-water situations, as [protagonist] Samuel’s travails--sometimes Kafkaesque, sometimes Laurel and Hardy--nicely pit his timidity against his growing desperation."--Publishers Weekly"David Unger's tale utterly seduces with its mix of the exotic and the familiar."--Toronto Star“Unger’s rendering of human contradiction is masterful, for in the space of Samuel’s four days of awe, Unger reveals life’s slippery terms of engagement in all their complexity with a clarity that still contains compassion . . . We can be grateful for the message of this wondrous book: despite our fears, even the least heroic among us can find the will to go forward.”--Literature and Arts of the AmericasIn 1938, as Samuel Berkow’s tramp steamer from Germany approaches Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, he is full of hope that he will be able to remake his life in the new world. Part character study and part riveting narrative of a German Jew escaping the Nazis, this novel provides its own mix of Franz Kafka, Joseph Conrad, and Louis-Ferdinand Céline, as Samuel stumbles to get his footing in a hostile setting.David Unger was born in Guatemala City in 1950 and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. He is the author of two previous novels and a story collection. He has translated sixteen books into English, including works by Nicanor Parra, Silvia Molina, Elena Garro, Barbara Jacobs, Mario Benedetti, and Rigoberta Menchú. He is considered one of Guatemala's major living writers even though he writes exclusively in English.

Set in Guatemala and based on a true story, “this intriguing literary thriller will appeal to lovers of international crime fiction” (Booklist).   Guillermo Rosensweig is a member of the Guatemalan elite, runs a successful law practice, has a wife and kids—and a string of gorgeous lovers. Then one day he crosses paths with Maryam, a Lebanese beauty with whom he falls desperately in love . . . to the point that when he loses her, he sees no other option than to orchestrate his own death.  The Mastermind is based on the bizarre real-life story of Rodrigo Rosenberg, a Guatemalan attorney who, in 2009, planned his own assassination after leaving behind a video accusing Guatemalan president Álvaro Colom of his murder. This is a fascinating depiction of modern-day Guatemala and the corrupt, criminal, and threatening reality that permeates its society.   “Engaging . . . Raw and unforgettable.” —Publishers Weekly   “This is a compelling story that can easily be read in a single sitting. And, as in any good mystery, when things go wrong, the novel becomes that much more interesting. Even for readers with no interest in Guatemala per se, this is one worth reading for the sheer joy of the writing itself.” —Reviewing the Evidence   “A riveting account of one man’s high-stakes journey to self-reckoning.” —Cristina García, author of Dreaming in Cuban

One chef. One plate of food. Millions of lives changed. An inspiring true story for young readers who want to make a difference.When chef José Andrés sees disaster strike, he doesn’t just watch—he shows up, ready to cook. From the smell of saffron and rice in his childhood kitchen in Spain, to the bustling kitchens of earthquake and hurricane relief zones, José has learned that food can be more than nourishment, it can be hope.José Feeds the World tells the remarkable true story of how an award-winning chef became the founder of World Central Kitchen, serving over 200 million meals to people affected by natural disasters, pandemics, and war.With David Unger’s heartfelt, accessible storytelling and Marta Álvarez Miguéns’ vibrant, mural-like illustrations, this multi-award-winning picture book invites children ages 4–8 to imagine how their own passions could change the world. Parents, teachers, and librarians will love how it sparks meaningful conversations about kindness, resilience, and global citizenship. José Feeds the World is more than a biography—it’s a celebration of compassion in action, a reminder that one person’s talents can make a global impact, and an invitation for every child to see themselves as a changemaker.Awards:2024-2025 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List2024 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children's Book Awards Silver Honor2024 Skipping Stones Honor Awards Winner, Multicultural and International Category2025-2026 Land of Enchantment Book Award nominee, Coyote list2026 Towner Award Nominee 2025 Missouri Dogwood Recommended Reading List2025-2026 Chickadee Award Nominee