Reviews

The Lost Steps by Alejo Carpentier

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anyajulchen's review against another edition

5.0

Más que una historia, parece un estudio de personaje. Tenemos al protagonista, en su vida diaria, de repente siendo arrojado a una misión para la cual no considera tener energías, ni ganas. Sin embargo, a medida que va avanzando la trama, este va descubriéndose a sí mismo, a través de las peligrosas situaciones que debe enfrentar.

El toque de la novela es, sin duda, la capacidad del autor y su manejo del lenguaje. Hasta el mínimo trozo del texto está bien trabajado, adecuado a una lírica muy hermosa, a través de las sensaciones y pensamientos del protagonista.

Fue una ligera lectura muy tranquila, que me hizo reflexionar sobre lo que es en verdad la felicidad y las necesidades. Deberían darle una oportunidad al libro. No se arrepentirán.

copusb's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

litchyn's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

2.25

kaithrin's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

3.5

5 stars for the writing but 2.5 stars for the story.

Carpentier's wordplay, and equally West's beautiful translation, were phenomenal. My personal favourite phrase was "nebulous menace" but there were too many brilliant words to count.

However, incredible vocabulary aside, the content was not nearly as enjoyable.

The 'noble savage' concept is particularly irritating, along with the main character who - although married and travelling with an affair partner already - spends most of the book lusting after a 'simplistic' native woman (or criticising his affair partner's virtues with seemingly no self-reflection).

The misogyny and 'noble savage' vibes got old quick so although the prose was beautiful, it was a bit of a slog to get through. I enjoyed the ending though, a bit of poetic justice to it all.