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Kiss of the Spider Woman Paperback – April 3, 1991

by Manuel Puig (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 248 ratings
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Kiss of the Spider Woman is a graceful, intensely compelling novel about love and victimization. In an Argentine prison, two men share a cell: Molina, a gay window dresser who is self-centered, self-denigrating, yet charming as well; and Valentin, an articulate, fiercely dogmatic revolutionary haunted by memories of a woman he left for the cause. Both are gradually transformed by their guarded but growing friendship and by Molina’s obsession with the fantasy and romance of the movies.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage
  4. Publication date
    April 3, 1991
  5. Dimensions
    5.1 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780679724490
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0679724490
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Novel by Manuel Puig, published in 1976 as El beso de la mujer arana. Mostly consisting of dialogue between two men in an Argentine jail cell, the novel traces the development of their unlikely friendship. Molina is a middle-aged homosexual who passes the long hours in prison by acting out scenes from his favorite movies. Valentin is a young socialist revolutionary, who initially berates Molina for his effeminacy and his lack of political conviction. Sharing the hardships of a six-month prison term, the two eventually forge a strong relationship that becomes sexual. In an ironic role reversal at the end of the novel, Molina dies as a result of his involvement in politics while Valentin escapes the pain of torture by retreating into a dream world. -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature

About the Author

Manuel Puig is the acclaimed author of many novels, including Betrayed by Rita Hayworth, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Buenos Aires Affair. He was born in Argentina in 1932 and died in Mexico in 1990.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0679724494
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; Reissue edition (April 3, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780679724490
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0679724490
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 248 ratings

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Manuel Puig

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
248 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Linda Linguvic
5.0 out of 5 stars All is not as it seems as two jailed men survive in an Argentine prison
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book was written in 1978 and subsequently became a movie which I will never forget. And now, reading the book after all these years, I can even appreciate it more. It is set in an jail in Argentina in a time of political upheaval Two men share a jail cell. Valentin is a revolutionary. Molina is a gay window dresser who has been jailed for seducing a young boy and he is obsessed with movies. To fight boredom, Molina tells Valenin detailed stories of romantic movies. They go through a lot together including food poisoning and their friendship grows. But all is not as it seems as they live their fantasy lives and we are soon surprised to discover that one of the men is working for the government.

How this all turns out is the stuff of good literature. It is hard to put the book, which is more than the sum of its parts, down as the extensive footnotes as well as the movie plots are part of the magic that the author has created.

There are surprises and twists and turns of the plot and it all ends badly. But the story is a small work of art and will continue to haunt the consciousness of everyone who reads it..
9 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a great book
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2022
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This was such an amazing book oh my god I was sobbing at the end.
2 people found this helpful
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Person B
4.0 out of 5 stars As described
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
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It did have a bit of highlights in the book especially in the end but it was as described. Love the actual contents of the book. Beautiful story with so much to analyze.
One person found this helpful
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Orlando Rodriguez
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book; poor shipping
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2014
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I absolutely love this book, it's superb and once I was done, I felt a connection with the characters that I cried. It's easy to read, and you'll distinguish the characters easily. It's broken up in chapters which creates it easy to have break and stop reading. It took me four days to read, I couldn't put the book down keeps you intrigued the whole time.

The shipping from owlsbooks was horrid. I ordered two day shipping, since I have prime and the book was prime eligible. I ordered the 13th, slated to arrive the 15th, well, I got it the 18th. Not pleased whatsoever.

However my rating is solely for the book, not the shipping. Shipping is 1 star, book is 5.
One person found this helpful
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Dale
5.0 out of 5 stars Good reading at a good price
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2021
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Everybody wanted over $15 for this book. I got a good used copy on Amazon for half the price.
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Eagles Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars patriotism and true love.
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2018
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This book should not be collecting dust!! A sensational account of truth, patriotism and true love.
2 people found this helpful
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Charlie Cummins
3.0 out of 5 stars It;s OK
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2013
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It's OK but if there is another book available I would try reading it first. At least better than the movie.
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Flavio
5.0 out of 5 stars love it
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2019
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puig is such a pleasure to read.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is entirely dialog.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
I am rereading this amazing book, I have the same taste in black and white films as Molina.
I've watched the film and seen the musical - the only one I've ever paid to see.
This book will stay with you.
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I-Chuan Wang
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2016
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The item is good for the value you pay for it!
One person found this helpful
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Brigitte83
5.0 out of 5 stars Fesselndes Werk!
Reviewed in Germany on November 4, 2013
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Äußerst gut geschrieben, konnte es gar nicht weglegen. Allerdings werde ich wohl noch Sekundärliteratur dazu lesen, um das Buch wirklich komplett zu verstehen.
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Charlotte Good
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting indeed ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2016
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A must read if you are in Argentina ... touching, unusual and an excellent read. Recommended.
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Barbbro2000
5.0 out of 5 stars a tapestry of intrigue
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2007
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As other reviewers have stated, this book is set in a prison cell in Argentina . The 2 characters are an unlikely pair, Molina an effeminate homosexual and Valentin a member of a guerrilla organistion. It is a tale of their growing relationship, that the enforcement of the prison cell has foisted upon them.

It is an easy book to read,and while it deals with complex issues, I never felt overwhelmed by them.

From Molina's first story about the Panther woman, who is afraid to kiss her husband, in case she murders him, the theme of love, fear and betrayel are set.

Puig has written a brilliant book, that deserves all the acclaim it has gotten. It will leave you thinking, not only about who we love, but also why we love, and I mean to include ideologies as well as people.

The sub text of Freudian's take on homosexuality is interesting too.

I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good book, but it does have an adult theme, so be aware of that.
4 people found this helpful
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