Júlio Cortázar: El Perseguidor (The Pursuer)

El Perseguidor (The Pursuer) is one of Cortázar's greatest literary achievements, and a classic in the XX Century literature. With an existential background masterly build, the story describes the last days of a saxophone virtuoso, Johnny Carter, whose life runs between lucidity and self-destruction. El perseguidor gives us a vivid image of the bebop scene in 1950s Paris, as we get a glimpse of Johnny's personal life, from his severe drug addiction and psychological instability to his profound philosophical insights.
Since it was first published in 1959, this tribute to the genius of Charlie Parker, has seen along the years the enthusiasm of many readers, who consider it, as Hopscotch, an initiatory experience.

The Pursuer is included in End of the Game and Other Stories.

Related links: Júlio Cortázar reads an extract from his short story El Perseguidor