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picoledenaranja's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A super interesting and creative book. It did a great way at talking about the Pinochet regime in Che though the perspective of kids
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Death, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Misogyny
mlovesbooks's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
thebookfestclub's review
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Space Invaders is well-paced and the writing is simple as it should be. It explores growing up under the Pinochet regime and everything it entails. Its title refers to the Atari game popular in the 1980s.
What is really special about this novella is that is inspired by the author's life. Fernandez grew up under the regime. The book's characters including their disappeared friend are all figures from her past. The novella is even dedicated to Estrella.
In an interview, questioned on whether some horrific element included in her work was fiction, Fernandez replied: "It’s all real and it’s a part of what we lived as children. A compilation of collective memories. None of it is fiction, I’m afraid." This could have easily been a memoir, but the author preferred to go the fiction route and use vignettes featuring memories and dreams from both herself and her friends.
A must-read for an intimate exploration of living under the Pinochet dictatorship. Those of us not familiar with Chilean history won't be lost as the author mention all key dates and events.
What is really special about this novella is that is inspired by the author's life. Fernandez grew up under the regime. The book's characters including their disappeared friend are all figures from her past. The novella is even dedicated to Estrella.
In an interview, questioned on whether some horrific element included in her work was fiction, Fernandez replied: "It’s all real and it’s a part of what we lived as children. A compilation of collective memories. None of it is fiction, I’m afraid." This could have easily been a memoir, but the author preferred to go the fiction route and use vignettes featuring memories and dreams from both herself and her friends.
A must-read for an intimate exploration of living under the Pinochet dictatorship. Those of us not familiar with Chilean history won't be lost as the author mention all key dates and events.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture, Death, and Murder
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