The novel “Divertimento” (1949) was not published during Cortazar’s lifetime, but the hand of a mature master, the future creator of such masterpieces as “Winnings”, “Hopscotch”, “The Book of Manuel” is already felt in it.

“She always fell out of chairs, and soon everyone realized that there was no point in finding her deep chairs with high armrests. She sat down and immediately fell. Sometimes she fell backwards, but most often she fell on her side. But she got up and smiled - good nature distinguished her, and understanding, understanding that chairs were not for her. She adapted to living standing. She made love standing, she ate and drank on her feet, she slept without lying down, for fear of falling out of bed. For what is a bed if not a chair for the whole body? On the day she died, they hurriedly put her in a coffin; just as quickly it was boarded up. During the vigil over the deceased, the coffin kept leaning in one direction or the other - as if it wanted to fall somewhere.”