Circe by Julio Cortázar. Short summary

5 seconds

Mario is in love with Delia and plans to marry her despite the fact that his previous two suitors died under mysterious circumstances. But soon he discovers the beauty’s sinister secrets.

1 minute

The protagonist named Mario is very fond of the blond beauty Delia Magnara and wants to marry her. The young man is not afraid of ominous rumors, anonymous letters and even the fact that the girl’s suitors die one after another: Rolo — from an unexpected heart attack, Hector committed suicide by throwing himself into the river. Delia is a true sorceress: animals and insects love her, and the girl also makes divine liqueurs and candies.

Not only people die around Delia, but also animals: a white rabbit and a goldfish die, a cat that used to follow its mistress around dies.

But one day Mario discovers the secret of Delia’s candy — she adds dead insects or parts of animals she has killed to it. Delia’s parents know about their daughter’s shenanigans and live in constant fear.

Finally, Mario also realizes everything. In a rage, he tries to strangle Delia, but leaves her alive. Mario leaves her home, escaping the doom that the other suitors of the cruel Circe have not escaped.