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The Andes of Martin Chambí
Martin Chambí & Amanda Hopkinson
‘Chambi's mission was to portray the dignity and traditions of his people through their lives and labours, and he was well aware of the significance of his undertaking.’
Doing the Work
Doing the Work
‘I think there should be a National Service of Hospitality. The best way to see the true face of humanity is to serve it a plate of chips.’
Camilla Grudova on bad-mannered customers.
Doing the Work
‘Anyone who has ever worked night shifts will understand the vertiginous feeling that comes with staring down the day from the wrong end.’
A.K. Blakemore on working nights.
Doing the Work
‘I was constantly reading job ads, trying to find my holy grail – a job I could stand to do, and someone foolish enough to hire me.’
Sandra Newman on learning how to play professional blackjack.
Doing the Work
‘I loved being a receptionist. What I loved about it was playing the part of being a receptionist.’
Emily Berry on being a temporary office worker.
Doing the Work
‘Every part of you would swell, including your eyeballs, and no matter how much water you drank, you were always dehydrated.’
Junot Díaz on working for a steel mill.
Martin Chambí
More about the author →Amanda Hopkinson
Amanda Hopkinson translates from Spanish, Portuguese, and French, focusing mainly on contemporary fiction from Latin America. Her translations include Dead Horsemeat by Dominique Manotti (cotranslated with Ros Schwartz), Money to Burn by Ricardo Piglia and Paulo Coelho’s Devil and Miss Prym.
More about the author →