Using the name Lucas, a certain Julio Cortazar presents a collection of short stories: about his favorite pianists, about the life of eccentric artists, about the customs of certain Argentinean families, about love and friendship. Inexhaustibly rebellious and oddly wise, he also offers advice about how to shine your shoes, write reversible poems, give conferences, get kicked out of a concert, or swim in a pool of porridge. Utterly essential, this is an authoritative manual against solemnity and boredom.