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starfish912's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
heyalisa's review against another edition
5.0
a simple and moving story about Argentina in the 1970s. an accessible look at a horrible and often overlooked time in history.
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
This book is really more of a novella, not even hitting the 150 page mark. It's set in Argentina during the 1970s and is told in the form of letters between a brother and sister following his abduction by the secret police. Silvia devises a plan to save her brother by attracting the attention of Noberto, son of a powerful general. Meanwhile, her brother Eduardo, is telling us his side of the story from prison - the events that brought him to the attention of the military in the first place, and what he's experiencing in prison.
This was the first time I'd heard of Los Desaparecidos - those who were taken by the secret police and the military in Argentina during military rule in the second half of the twentieth century. So this is an important book, if it makes people aware of Argentina's history. But at the same time, it was so short that it felt like it barely skimmed the surface of the story. And there's so much more here that could have been fleshed out and expanded and developed to make it a harder hitting story. Add in the fact that the ending felt a little too neat and tidy, and it was a quick and decent read, but probably not one that will stay with me.
This book is really more of a novella, not even hitting the 150 page mark. It's set in Argentina during the 1970s and is told in the form of letters between a brother and sister following his abduction by the secret police. Silvia devises a plan to save her brother by attracting the attention of Noberto, son of a powerful general. Meanwhile, her brother Eduardo, is telling us his side of the story from prison - the events that brought him to the attention of the military in the first place, and what he's experiencing in prison.
This was the first time I'd heard of Los Desaparecidos - those who were taken by the secret police and the military in Argentina during military rule in the second half of the twentieth century. So this is an important book, if it makes people aware of Argentina's history. But at the same time, it was so short that it felt like it barely skimmed the surface of the story. And there's so much more here that could have been fleshed out and expanded and developed to make it a harder hitting story. Add in the fact that the ending felt a little too neat and tidy, and it was a quick and decent read, but probably not one that will stay with me.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
4.0
Powerful story about a sad time in Argentina's history. Having the voices of both characters is nice. Lacks some depth to the story and characters because of the format and length.
lschmidt's review against another edition
This book was purchased on a whim one day at my local Five Below for less than $2 (I had no idea they sold books!). It's a book I would've gladly payed suggested retail price for and has become a favorite of mine.
Told from the points of view of siblings Silvia and Eduardo, The Disappeared paints a terrifying portrait of life in 1970s Argentina. Ruled by power hungry dictators, citizens were taught to fear their government. One misspoken word and you or a loved one would be taken away, tortured and/or killed. Whelan depicts the story of a fictional family who faces just this.
It is a quick, yet satisfying short read that creates a flurry of emotions within its readers. I hope this story will one day be adapted into a motion picture film.
Told from the points of view of siblings Silvia and Eduardo, The Disappeared paints a terrifying portrait of life in 1970s Argentina. Ruled by power hungry dictators, citizens were taught to fear their government. One misspoken word and you or a loved one would be taken away, tortured and/or killed. Whelan depicts the story of a fictional family who faces just this.
It is a quick, yet satisfying short read that creates a flurry of emotions within its readers. I hope this story will one day be adapted into a motion picture film.
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