Reviews

The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes

amywilliams's review

2.0

2.75/5 - whilst this book was difficult to follow (and certainly not one you become invested in), the language and symbolism used is beautiful and so poetic. it was a chore to read for sure, but 'the old gringo' is definitely a text you appreciate more after you've put it down and can dwell on it.

behnaz's review

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookscatsandjazz's review

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

3.0

2000s's review

2.5

This bored me to the core, LOL. It’s a little too old Western masculinity movie for me even though I feel like Fuentes was trying to subvert that. There were some interesting scenes but ngl it was a slog. 

jakebittle's review

Overwritten...

dafunnypimp's review

adventurous reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kingkong's review

3.0

This book basically has the same plot as the movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou when you think about it

litpages3's review

4.0

Review to come, definitely one I enjoyed.

josefonee's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

adyleneba's review against another edition

3.0

"Primero tuvo que dejar de odiar a Tomás Arroyo por enseñarle lo que pudo ser y luego prohibirle que jamás fuese lo que ella pudo ser."

", había dicho la gringa tocándose la cabeza.
"Ah, nuestro rencor y nuestra memoria van juntos."

"La tentación era necesaria para enseñarle a esta gente que la propiedad privada debe ser respetada y que saber esto es tan importante como saber leer."

"El temor se convirtió en un placer solo por haberlo pensado."

"Entiendo y siento algunas cosas muy hondo, gringuita, muy hondo, porque si no las siento, no tengo manera de entender nada. "

"Dijo que en cambio Arroyo era un hombre desnudo, hasta cuando andaba vestido. Era un hombre callado, hasta cuando hablaba."

"...para los mexicanos, la única causa de guerra eran siempre los gringos."