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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
A contemplative, ruminating, and melancholic read, The Ghetto Within explores survivor's guilt and regret in the face of a far-flung calamity like the Holocaust through a man whose attempts to cope with his helplessness and despair serves as a metaphor for the impact of said calamity itself.
This is a character-driven story with almost no plot, focusing instead on the main character Vicente and his interactions with the world and those around him, the changing dynamics from his early immigrant years in Buenos Aires through the war years of the 1940s.
One of the aspects of the book that I greatly enjoyed is the reflections on identity, specifically of those who are marginalized: how someone, despite their self-perceived multifaceted individuality, could be solely regarded by a particular trait as circumscribed by others and society. How does an identity take precedence over others? And do we, ultimately, have any agency on this regard at all, or is it merely subjected to others' whims?
Although some might find the plotless and seemingly endless rumination not to their taste, I liked it fine. There are, however, countless typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies in the current edition, but I hope these will be rectified through further proofreading and copyediting prior to the actual publication. Overall, a reflective read with thought-provoking contemplation on the personal and psychological impact of the Holocaust--even for those indirectly affected by it.
A contemplative, ruminating, and melancholic read, The Ghetto Within explores survivor's guilt and regret in the face of a far-flung calamity like the Holocaust through a man whose attempts to cope with his helplessness and despair serves as a metaphor for the impact of said calamity itself.
This is a character-driven story with almost no plot, focusing instead on the main character Vicente and his interactions with the world and those around him, the changing dynamics from his early immigrant years in Buenos Aires through the war years of the 1940s.
One of the aspects of the book that I greatly enjoyed is the reflections on identity, specifically of those who are marginalized: how someone, despite their self-perceived multifaceted individuality, could be solely regarded by a particular trait as circumscribed by others and society. How does an identity take precedence over others? And do we, ultimately, have any agency on this regard at all, or is it merely subjected to others' whims?
Although some might find the plotless and seemingly endless rumination not to their taste, I liked it fine. There are, however, countless typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies in the current edition, but I hope these will be rectified through further proofreading and copyediting prior to the actual publication. Overall, a reflective read with thought-provoking contemplation on the personal and psychological impact of the Holocaust--even for those indirectly affected by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Genocide
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, and War
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