(#gifted @charcopress) A succinct little novel documenting the everyday lives of three main characters, Fate throws up some beautiful passages about fate, unsurprisingly, and destiny, and how much control we exert over them.

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In the author's note at the beginning, Argentinian author Consiglio declares that the translation is impeccable, perfectly capturing his every nuance from the original Spanish. I would have to agree with that, as I was borne along by the clean-cut prose. This is the second translation I've read this year from Carolina Orloff, this time assisted by Fionn Petch, and you can colour me impressed!

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Fate is one for my fellow readers who enjoy getting lost in the minutiae of other people's lives. There are no huge surprises or explosions, although there is taxidermy, ferris wheels and dildos if that convinces anybody. I particularly enjoyed Amer's chapters, a taxidermist embarking on a new (but already doomed?) relationship with a woman he meets at a group for quitting smoking. The other chapters focus on Karl and Marina, a married couple with a son who are coming to the end of their relationship.

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Although a quiet and pensive book throughout, the ending gave me the most pause. It's a missed encounter by seven seconds, spurred by fate (or destiny? Honestly, I still struggle to differentiate between the two). It really made me think about how much in our lives happens or doesn't happen because of where we are at a certain moment - especially since I met my partner mainly due to a bunch of random things coming together at one time! Who knows if seven seconds would have made the difference there?!

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Part of me wishes it had been longer, but then again, maybe the beauty of it is in the concision. It's just a glimpse into the inner lives of three people, a sliver before that door is closed to us again.