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anthonysimon99's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paulanoti's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
I am ambivalent about this book. It is one of those that you can see is very well written but much of it also says very little. It is necessary to get a long way through the book before really stumbling on the narrative and its meaning. I think this is intentional Zambra isn't trying to drop you into the maw of Pinochet's chile rather he is taking you in ever decreasing circles into how the regime affects everyday life for those on the edges of accepted society.
sailoreads's review against another edition
4.0
A diferencia del primer texto narrativo de Zambra, en este, que es su tercera entrega, se siente de forma más fluida, más cercana, con su toque poético y chileno característico del autor. Narrado en formato tipo diario, recordando y comentando su presente y su pasado.
Zambra nos introduce a aquel niño de nueve años que fue durante la dictadura de Pinochet, pero sobre todo inicia contándonos del terremoto que se vivió en el año 85, sin entender muy bien lo que ocurría con los detenidos o el desastre natural y sus consecuencias, ni de matrimonios, relaciones, política, que lentamente retornan en su vida a medida que crece y abandona la casas de sus padres. También se puede observar un poco de su proceso creativo al escribir este libro.
Es una lectura rápida que se divide en cuatro partes con separaciones de una plana y media aprox. En lo personal me gustó mucho, como si un amigo me estuviese relatando una historia.
Zambra nos introduce a aquel niño de nueve años que fue durante la dictadura de Pinochet, pero sobre todo inicia contándonos del terremoto que se vivió en el año 85, sin entender muy bien lo que ocurría con los detenidos o el desastre natural y sus consecuencias, ni de matrimonios, relaciones, política, que lentamente retornan en su vida a medida que crece y abandona la casas de sus padres. También se puede observar un poco de su proceso creativo al escribir este libro.
Es una lectura rápida que se divide en cuatro partes con separaciones de una plana y media aprox. En lo personal me gustó mucho, como si un amigo me estuviese relatando una historia.
silodear's review against another edition
3.0
I like the unsettled and questioning feeling this book has left me with. I felt drawn in, sometimes bored, but ultimately moved by the story and particularly by its telling. A quick and good read.
zirtaebpsv's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anniesmanybooks's review against another edition
4.0
For my Around the World challenge (Chile).
A promising little metafictional novel about the legacy of Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile. The novel switches between a child's story of the mysterious behavior of his neighbors, the now grown-up protagonist and his discovery of what really took place during these events and what role his parents had, and a metafictional frame narrative, in which another narrator, the "author," struggles with the writing of this story, his own failing marriage and his relationship to his parents. It's a clever little story, but I wish it had been more developed, more fleshed out. I realize that the point of the story is all that is unspoken and undone, but still... I wish there had been just a little bit more substance and depth.
3.5 stars.
A promising little metafictional novel about the legacy of Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile. The novel switches between a child's story of the mysterious behavior of his neighbors, the now grown-up protagonist and his discovery of what really took place during these events and what role his parents had, and a metafictional frame narrative, in which another narrator, the "author," struggles with the writing of this story, his own failing marriage and his relationship to his parents. It's a clever little story, but I wish it had been more developed, more fleshed out. I realize that the point of the story is all that is unspoken and undone, but still... I wish there had been just a little bit more substance and depth.
3.5 stars.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
There was a lot that was good in Ways of Going Home, and it was generally very readable, but ultimately it seemed a little thin and did not fully work for me. The postmodernism became somewhat wearying, in part because it did not have enough else to sustain ones interest.
The novella is divided into parts. The first is the story of a boy meeting a girl in the wake of the 1985 earthquake and his agreeing to spy on his neighbor for her. The second part is the author himself writing the first part. The third part returns to the story when the boy/author meets the girl again twenty years later and has an affair with her. The final part returns to the writer talking about writing the book.
One of the recurring themes in the book is dictatorship and the impact it has on children and how it is perceived by them. It is also about writing and remembering and creating characters. Overall it seems ambitious and only partly successful--but I would be interested in reading more by Alejandro Zambra.
The novella is divided into parts. The first is the story of a boy meeting a girl in the wake of the 1985 earthquake and his agreeing to spy on his neighbor for her. The second part is the author himself writing the first part. The third part returns to the story when the boy/author meets the girl again twenty years later and has an affair with her. The final part returns to the writer talking about writing the book.
One of the recurring themes in the book is dictatorship and the impact it has on children and how it is perceived by them. It is also about writing and remembering and creating characters. Overall it seems ambitious and only partly successful--but I would be interested in reading more by Alejandro Zambra.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
An odd little book that will probably be interesting primarily to people interested in Chile, and its' recent history. Zambra is a poet as well as a novelist and there are a few poems scattered through the book. It is about memories and how they differ even for people who have lived the same events together. The translation seems to be excellent as here are no awkward phrasings. Though without seeing the original Spanish, that may be an assumption.
annieinthearchives's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0