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celianeale's review against another edition
Really enjoyed this, and tore through it in one sitting. The introduction by Adam Thirlwell was very insightful and honestly got me to appreciate the narrative style.
diana_acc's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 ⭐
Mmmm a ver hubo partes que me causaron gracia, y que siento que solamente lo entienden las personas que viven en México.
Obvio las partes más escabrosas dónde hablan de cómo es el tipo de mafia en la que trabajan y los lujos que tienen, no sé si sean reales, pero no lo dudaria del todo.
La paranoia que tiene Yocault, eso si no me parece creíble del todo, pues si algo tienen los narcotraficantes es que tienen demasiada gentr trabajando para ellos, y no creo que escatimen en gastos a la hora de vivir en un lugar limpio o solo vigilado por 2 personas.
Y realmente creo que Tochtli si debería consultar a un psicólogo y no sólo por el ambiente al que está expuesto, ese niño no podría ser normal.
Mmmm a ver hubo partes que me causaron gracia, y que siento que solamente lo entienden las personas que viven en México.
Obvio las partes más escabrosas dónde hablan de cómo es el tipo de mafia en la que trabajan y los lujos que tienen, no sé si sean reales, pero no lo dudaria del todo.
La paranoia que tiene Yocault, eso si no me parece creíble del todo, pues si algo tienen los narcotraficantes es que tienen demasiada gentr trabajando para ellos, y no creo que escatimen en gastos a la hora de vivir en un lugar limpio o solo vigilado por 2 personas.
Y realmente creo que Tochtli si debería consultar a un psicólogo y no sólo por el ambiente al que está expuesto, ese niño no podría ser normal.
wendyk324's review against another edition
4.0
Disturbing but powerful. A short story about life in a Mexican drug cartel from the viewpoint of a little boy who is isolated from the rest of the world.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
Down the Rabbit Hole is both a story about a lonely boy who wants a pygmy hippo and a glimpse into the world of a drug lord. Tochtli lives with his father in a secluded and secure palace. His only friends are the men who work for his father. He loves hats and admires the French for their efficiency in inventing the guillotine.
There is a dark humour to this little book but it has a sad undertone too. Tochtli's perspective is warped as he has no context as to what is normal. He has seen dead bodies and is fascinated by death and the means with which men are killed. Yet he still is innocent to the wider world. He loves learning, but he never leaves the house, never knows what people think of what his father does.
Mexico has a strong tradition of narco fiction and this book approaches the sub-genre from a different angle. The drugs business isn't described first-hand, but Tochtli isn't shielded from much. His dad wants him to be macho and he feels the need to hide signs of weakness. He's not a likeable little boy but you can feel sorry for him. He is a product of his upbringing.
With its proximity to the US, sadly much of Mexico's modern culture has been greatly influenced by drug trafficking and the glamourisation of cartel life. It's said that narcoculture is based on honor, bravery, family loyalty, protection, vengeance, generosity, hospitality, nobility, and prestige, and plenty of these things are seen through Tochtli's eyes.
Whilst not the same country, I'd be surprised if it wasn't a little inspired by Pablo Escobar's life. The Columbian drug lord had hippos and wanted to keep the drugs away from the people of his country (something inferred by Tochtli's father). A lot of the Mexican cartels had links to Columbia too, as the source of a lot of the drugs.
There is a dark humour to this little book but it has a sad undertone too. Tochtli's perspective is warped as he has no context as to what is normal. He has seen dead bodies and is fascinated by death and the means with which men are killed. Yet he still is innocent to the wider world. He loves learning, but he never leaves the house, never knows what people think of what his father does.
Mexico has a strong tradition of narco fiction and this book approaches the sub-genre from a different angle. The drugs business isn't described first-hand, but Tochtli isn't shielded from much. His dad wants him to be macho and he feels the need to hide signs of weakness. He's not a likeable little boy but you can feel sorry for him. He is a product of his upbringing.
With its proximity to the US, sadly much of Mexico's modern culture has been greatly influenced by drug trafficking and the glamourisation of cartel life. It's said that narcoculture is based on honor, bravery, family loyalty, protection, vengeance, generosity, hospitality, nobility, and prestige, and plenty of these things are seen through Tochtli's eyes.
Whilst not the same country, I'd be surprised if it wasn't a little inspired by Pablo Escobar's life. The Columbian drug lord had hippos and wanted to keep the drugs away from the people of his country (something inferred by Tochtli's father). A lot of the Mexican cartels had links to Columbia too, as the source of a lot of the drugs.
marysia_p's review against another edition
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
krytygr's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I choose this book for a reading challenge so I really had no idea what it was about. After finishing it, I felt a little unfulfilled. There was so many things going on, but as this is told mostly from Tochtli's POV, there wasn't much to go on. He's just a kid describing what he sees everyday with no real understanding of what it all means. Not bad, not great.
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
3.0
I was close to giving this four stars; the writing was excellent, the child believable. Every part of it worked, and the strongest thing was how well it showed the full extent of horrible things through an innocent's eyes, giving us full knowledge of many things that he himself does not understand. It seemed as though it could have been more, though. Perhaps it was the pace I read it at, but it seemed as if it could have lingered longer, meandered through its parts at a more leisurely pace, maybe followed events further. Very thought-provoking and interesting, and extremely well-written, however.
brujxdtxs's review against another edition
3.0
Para adoctrinar a los niños en las reglas del patriarcado, los obligamos a sentir dolor y negar sus sentimientos - bell hooks
beemanguen's review against another edition
3.0
Es una buena historia contada desde el punto de vista de un Niño que no conoce otra cosa que el narcotrafico. Me pareció repetitiva y un poco sosa, sin mucho sentido. Lo acabas rapidísimo.