The following prologue from Macedonio Fernandez's novel Museum of Eterna’s Novel (Museo de la Novela de la Eterna) says on its own quite a lot about Macedonio and illustrates my approach to translating him:

To Whomever may want to write this novel:
(Final Prologue)
--Museum of Eterna’s Novel, or, The First Good Novel

I leave it an open book: it will be the first “open book” in literary history.  What I mean to say is that although the author wishes it were better—or at least of some value—at the same time he believes it is rich in potential.  He thereby authorizes any future writer enjoying circumstances favorable to intense labor, and with the good taste and the inclination, to correct it as well as he can, and to edit it liberally, with or without mention of my—that is, his, name.  It won’t be easy.  Improve, correct, but if at all possible, leave something of the original behind!

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