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readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I definitely prefer Twilight Zone but Fernández is such a stand out writer, I do need to more about the endings and the characters being in the acknowledgments and the dedication also confused me Ngl! But I love the atmosphere Fernández is able to create
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Torture, Murder, and Police brutality
jmcquain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Murder
halftimelord's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Loved the dream-like tone of this book. I just wish it was longer but at the same time the length worked well with the short chapters and snapshots of the characters' lives. I don't know anything about Chilean history or the events described in this book but it was eye-opening and made me want to learn more.
Picked up this book for a reading challenge but have ordered The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández, really excited to read something else by her.
Picked up this book for a reading challenge but have ordered The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández, really excited to read something else by her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
picoledenaranja's review against another edition
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
machinations's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Cursing, Colonisation, and War
thebookfestclub's review against another edition
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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