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katebirdie's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Suicide
deadwolfbones's review
4.0
I actually liked the short stories better than the novella. In particular the last two, "The Other Labyrinth" and "The Perjury of the Snow" were quite good and at times came near to the quality of Casares's friend Borges's own stories. I think that though never really achieves that quality, mostly because he's too engaged in telling a story and not engaged enough in his ideas. But that's alright. Not everyone can/should be Borges. Definitely worth reading.
ederwin's review
3.0
An interesting mid-point between Sci-Fi and Magical Realism. The story "The Invention of Morel" was loved by Borges and by Garcia-Marquez and somehow inspired the film and book "Last Year at Marienbad" (though it is quite different). It itself seems inspired by "The Island of Dr. Moreau". With that great pedigree, it is sad to say that I didn't enjoy it very much. I was quick to figure out things that took the protagonist too long to find, and I didn't enjoy listening to his thoughts.
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