Summary

The novel then switches to Jacobo’s point of view. Jacobo addresses the reader directly as he recounts parts of Gustavo’s life. When Gustavo first began to recount his stories to Jacobo, he thought that Gustavo was a compulsive liar, but he soon realized that “it had less to do with lying than surpassing the truth” (149). Jacobo then gives an account of Gustavo’s life that is more accurate with regards to strict facts. Gustavo became an auctioneer at the age of 42. When he went to America for a training course, his wife Flaca left him and married a man of similar wealth to that of her father. She died soon after and stipulated in her will that Siddhartha should be raised by his stepfather. This stipulation had no legal grounds, but Gustavo did not contest it. Gustavo’s personal collection of items...