Reviews

McSweeney's 65: Plundered by

mng's review

3.0

“ain't them bodies saints” might be one of the best I can remember.

imrogers's review

3.0

Though the introduction and letters section of McSweeney's 65 powerfully captures the horrors and crimes of colonialism in the Americas, the rest of the collection, sadly, doesn't quite live up. The high points, though, are incredibly high: Samanta Schweblin's "An Unlucky Man" is a funny and mysterious story about a girl who loses her underpants, "Edmundo Paz Soldán's "El Señor de La Palma" sucks you into a plantation work cult where devotees get paid in cryptocurrency, and Carlos Manuel Álvarez's "The Hunger Artists" vividly captures a peaceful protest in authoritarian Cuba. Sabrina Helen Li's "Worldly Wonders" also offers a scathing rebuke of anti-Asian sentiment in the COVID era through an imaginative entertainment setting where women perform as bowls.

Though this collection may well be worth picking up for just these few gems and the Introduction, you might find yourself skimming through (and/or scratching your head at) many of the other pieces, which were a bit over my head or not as tight as I would have liked.

valjeanval's review

5.0

This issue of McSweeney's is focused on colonialism and what it's like being an indigenous person in a colonial world. Like all McSweeney's, it's excellent. I think "El Señor de La Palma" was my favorite but mostly because MLM's fascinate me. I'm a little behind on my McSweeney's, but it felt good to get back into these beautifully crafted short pieces.

hmh's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

tomatocultivator's review

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence and Racism

cbalaschak's review

4.0

Highlights:
The Hunger Artists
The Island
Chimbote Highway
Worldly Wonders
El Senor de La Palma
Letter from Yasnaya Elena Aguilar Gil