The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter
"The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman" is a surreal novel by the Argentine author Julio Cortázar that explores the conflict between reason and desire through a fantastical narrative. Set against the backdrop of a war initiated by the titular Doctor Hoffman, who uses a machine to unleash desire, the story follows a young man named Desiderio. His quest is driven by both a mission to confront Hoffman and an unconscious longing for Hoffman's daughter, Albertina.
As Desiderio journeys through a series of bizarre and often perilous encounters—including a peep show, a carnival of grotesque performers, and an oppressive world of centaurs—he grapples with his identity and desires. The narrative is rich with dream-like sequences and explores themes of sexuality, power, and the nature of reality. Ultimately, Desiderio's journey leads him to a climactic confrontation where he restores reason but at a significant personal cost. The novel combines elements of magical realism, eroticism, and philosophical inquiry, making it a compelling read for those interested in avant-garde literature and the complexities of human desire.
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The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman
First published: 1972 (also published as The War of Dreams, 1974)
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—Magical Realism
Time of work: Undefined
Locale: Various locations on Earth
The Plot
Desiderio, an old man, tells the story of the Great War between reason and unreason in which, fifty years earlier, he played a heroic role. The war begins when Dr. Hoffman’s infernal desire machine destroys the forces of reason in the Capital and installs a world of desire. The Capital’s ruler, the minister of determination, sends his twenty-four-year-old aide, Desiderio, to destroy Hoffman and his machine. Desiderio, already unconsciously desirous of Hoffman’s daughter, Albertina, sets off on a quest that is both heroic and romantic.
At his first destination, a seaside village, he meets Hoffman’s old teacher, now the blind proprietor of a peep show. Desiderio, accused of murdering a woman and sought by the police, takes refuge among the River People, who are Indians. Part Indian himself, he becomes one of them. On the eve of his wedding, however, Desiderio realizes that the River People are about to cannibalize him. After escaping, he again meets the peep show proprietor, now traveling with a carnival. Desiderio joins the carnival, masquerading as the proprietors nephew.
The proprietor, he learns, is allied to Hoffman; indeed, Albertina has commanded him to bring Desiderio safely to Hoffman’s castle. Desiderio’s love and desire for this woman he has never met increases, and his desire fuels his vision.
Desiderio is attracted to the carnivals grotesque but friendly performers. Most intriguing to him are the little Acrobats of Desire, religious ascetics who practice an erotic and sadomasochistic dismemberment act from which they take no pleasure. They perform a ritual gang rape on Desiderio. When he finally escapes to a place overlooking the town, he watches a landslide bury it.
A black-robed count and his servant, Lafleur, who is Albertina in disguise, ask Desiderio to accompany them. At a whorehouse run by a madam (Albertina), they participate in grotesque sexual acts until flames destroy the place. Desiderio and his companions escape and board a ship, from which they move to a pirate vessel. By now aware that Lafleur is Albertina and that she has protected him, Desiderio waits eagerly to consummate his love for her.
A storm destroys the ship and lands them in Africa. There the count is killed, but Desiderio and Albertina escape to Nebulous time and space and a world in which centaurs worship a god called the Sacred Stallion. The male centaurs are privileged; the female centaurs are oppressed. The centaurs religiously gang rape Albertina before her fathers helicopters arrive to free them both. Albertina leads Desiderio to Dr. Hoffman. He destroys Hoffman, Albertina, and the machine. Reason is restored, and Desiderio is a hero.