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cansadop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lori85's review against another edition
3.0
Way too many digressions. What does a random Guatemalan painter living in Paris during WWII have to do with anything?
marbri's review against another edition
3.0
The pacing of this book, the pacing, the rhythm, the current is rare. Actually, I've never read anything like it except maybe Jim Shepard's short stories. It leads you to an overwhelming question: what is the solution, maybe not. There's no answer, but when we get into the section with the female writer, the book breaks open into its most compelling current (there's a huge eddy in the middle, but we all know Europe is duller than Chile anyway). That bit about this is how we make literature is a big huge waterfall with boulders at the bottom.
More of his? Savage Detectives? I'll try to find it, Marshall. Afterwards, I read a short story, "The Life of Anne Moore" (?), I couldn't put down--bam, bam, bam, but no answer still.
More of his? Savage Detectives? I'll try to find it, Marshall. Afterwards, I read a short story, "The Life of Anne Moore" (?), I couldn't put down--bam, bam, bam, but no answer still.
orozcooliver007's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
conventicleofmagpies's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
afdye's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vandelay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mirireads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
marlo42's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is a curious little work which at times seems more like an exercise in prose craft more than a polished novella.
The first Bolaño I read I loved, and I will probably read more by him in the future. This was not as good as “Nazi Literature in the Americas,” but it does contain great moments. It is written to reflect what a broken old man would sound like as they babble away, attempting to explain their life, and for the most part it works. The voice is consistent and strong, and it for all the world reads like how that old man’s monologue would sound
However, this doesn’t always result in a compelling read. The voice turns in on itself, especially early on, and this has an effect which can pull the reader out of the narrative.
The first third is pretty weak, but the rest is a worthwhile read. At under 100 pages, it’s easy enough to recommend.
The first Bolaño I read I loved, and I will probably read more by him in the future. This was not as good as “Nazi Literature in the Americas,” but it does contain great moments. It is written to reflect what a broken old man would sound like as they babble away, attempting to explain their life, and for the most part it works. The voice is consistent and strong, and it for all the world reads like how that old man’s monologue would sound
However, this doesn’t always result in a compelling read. The voice turns in on itself, especially early on, and this has an effect which can pull the reader out of the narrative.
The first third is pretty weak, but the rest is a worthwhile read. At under 100 pages, it’s easy enough to recommend.