The Novices of Lerna by Ángel Bonomini
The Novices of Lerna is a brief 104-page novella written by Ángel Bonomini, translated by Jordan Landsman and published by Peninsula Press. Originally published in Argentina in 1972, this English translation wasn’t published until November 2024. It’s caught the attention of many people who are searching for stories similar to the TV series Severance.
The Novices of Lerna by Ángel Bonomini summary
When scholar Ramón Beltra is invited to attend a well-paid fellowship at the University of Lerna in Switzerland, he struggles to understand why. He can’t think of a particular reason why they’d want him, but the money is too good to ignore. He accepts the offer but questions his decision again when they demand an intrusive level of detail about him.
Putting his concerns behind him and looking forward to a break from the norm, Ramón flies to the secluded university.
Reaching Lerna, another member of the fellowship welcomes him, and he can’t believe his eyes. The man is physically identical to him in every way. His double isn’t a secret twin or forgotten relative; he’s a doppelganger. Turns out they all are. Every single one of the 24 men invited to the University is physically identical.
After being escorted to his room, he learns the rules of his new home:
- He will occasionally change rooms
- Wear the provided jumpsuit
- Have the same haircut as everyone else
- Refrain from gestures that might identify him
- Do not make decisions for others (order them drinks, food, etc)
Brought together from across the world, these men are part of a research programme none of them truly understands. Soon, the project takes a sinister turn.
The Novices of Lerna by Angel Bonomini quotes
“I sat next to him in the car but avoided looking at him out of discretion. But after a while I couldn’t resist the temptation to observe his mannerisms. He was absolutely identical to me. What’s more, as I watched him closely, I discovered several details that corresponded to me but that, of course, I had never seen in my own face.”
“A uniform equalizes and at the same time depersonalizes. But when a group wears the same uniform and its members are also physically identical, more than just equal and depersonalized, individuals are almost invisible.”
“Under careful observation, each fellow had some special characteristic that made him unique. Particular ideas or words, ways of looking, inflections, how he paid attention, attack and defence mechanisms, unformulated opinions hidden in a gesture, and, on top of all this, the one thousand resources of a face, of its muscles, of the voice and its silences.”
The Novices of Lerna by Ángel Bonomini review
Considering The Novices of Lerna is just over 100 pages long (with a large font), Ángel Bonomini manages to pack in an incredible amount of storytelling. Personally, I found Ramón pretty obnoxious, but I also think that worked well for the plot. He sees himself as uniquely special, making it even harder for him to comprehend his situation surrounded by doppelgangers. His immediate response when surrounded by the others is to stamp his intellectual dominance, which is quickly quashed. This leaves him even more emotionally adrift, unsure of his place in a room full of people just like him.
At first, Ramón pushes back against the rules, accidentally and then deliberately, in an attempt to hold onto his individuality. Then he starts to feel like an outsider, even among all the familiar faces. Soon he embraces the feeling, riding a horse around the campus on his own.
Ángel Bonomini’s writing and Jordan Landsman’s translation feel wonderfully indulgent. With Ramón being a scholar, it makes sense that his language would reflect the intelligence he’s so proud of. The language also somehow adds to the ‘other worldliness’ of the novel, adding another level of immersion.
Is The Novices of Lerna worth reading?
Overall, yes, but it comes with caveats. While I really enjoyed 90% of this story, I really wanted more from the ending. The body of it is so compelling and intriguing, but I personally felt that the ending was sadly abrupt.
I never mind an ambiguous ending or being left to ponder the messages of a story, and I understand you can only do so much with 100 pages. However, I don’t think it would’ve taken much more to build more of an ending. I’m possibly missing the point, but that’s how it make me feel.
I don’t want to wallow in the negative though, because this novella was a great ride. It truly grabs you and doesn’t let go. While it doesn’t answer many of the questions it sets, it sets them incredibly well. As well as that, I can’t think of a single book to compare it to, which is an incredible feat and something I truly appreciate.
If you can enjoy the ride more than the destination, The Novices of Lerna is well worth reading.
Buy your copy of The Novices of Lerna by Ángel Bonomini now.
If you enjoyed this, read my review of The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex.
