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luchiiaa's review against another edition
5.0
A través de la figura de Demetrio Macías y sus compañeros de armas, Azuela traza un arco narrativo de la revolución mexicana. Comienza con su adhesión a la causa de los revolucionarios, voluntaria pero también forzada por la violencia sistémica, y cómo, una vez que ha entrado en este movimiento telúrico, ya no podrá salir de él. Es una obra que muestra muy de cerca a los seres humanos que ahora llamamos revolucionarios: sus anhelos, deseos, tristezas, decepciones, sus bajezas y sus escasos momentos de altruismo, y Azuela muestra todo esto sin juzgarlos nunca. No por nada es una de las grandes novelas de la Revolución Mexicana.
Me parece increíble que Mariano Azuela haya tenido la profundidad y largueza de miras en 1916, sólo 6 años después de iniciada la revolución - y todavía en medio de ella-, para escribir este magnífico relato, que en sólo 140 páginas condensa magistralmente la experiencia de los millones de seres que hicieron, vivieron y padecieron este movimiento.
Me parece increíble que Mariano Azuela haya tenido la profundidad y largueza de miras en 1916, sólo 6 años después de iniciada la revolución - y todavía en medio de ella-, para escribir este magnífico relato, que en sólo 140 páginas condensa magistralmente la experiencia de los millones de seres que hicieron, vivieron y padecieron este movimiento.
catherineofalx's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect election night anxiety read, lol. I suspect this is better than I knew, rushing it. I love how much is developed in dialogue. This accomplishes a lot with relatively little.
giovannigf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
bookslovejenna's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Five things about The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela. 3/5⭐️s
1. This is the kind of book I appreciate more than enjoy. Both in relation to its subject matter and its style of storytelling.
2. This is, at its most basic level, the story of a band of ordinary men fighting the corrupt Mexican government during the Mexican Revolution. More than that though it is a story of brotherhood, oppression, roses among thorns and the power of the ordinary.
3. This book is powerful but awkward. It reads as slow as molasses but at the same time enough happens within a few pages to make your head spin. Within the first ten pages I met most of the main characters, witnessed a near rape, a hanging, a pet being killed, a gunfight in a ravine, a near fatal injury, got the back story on the Revolutionaries and Federal Soldiers, as well as being treated to a Three Stooges-esque camping scene...and it still read slowly. 😱🤷🏻♀️😬😳
4. For all of that, I really appreciate this book. Mostly because the notes in my Modern Library Edition were extremely thorough and well-written. I’ve never read anything from Mexico before this and all I knew of the Mexican Revolution came from by way of my knowledge of Henry David Thoreau and a 1950s Poncho Villa movie my grandpa was pretty keen on. So you better believe I was using those notes like a lifeline!
5. Speaking of Poncho Villa - those larger than life figures are present in this book but they take a backseat to the real revolutionary heroes - the average people. I really did enjoy this book but it’s not one I’d pick up in future to read for fun or an escape. It is however one I’m very glad I’ve read.
1. This is the kind of book I appreciate more than enjoy. Both in relation to its subject matter and its style of storytelling.
2. This is, at its most basic level, the story of a band of ordinary men fighting the corrupt Mexican government during the Mexican Revolution. More than that though it is a story of brotherhood, oppression, roses among thorns and the power of the ordinary.
3. This book is powerful but awkward. It reads as slow as molasses but at the same time enough happens within a few pages to make your head spin. Within the first ten pages I met most of the main characters, witnessed a near rape, a hanging, a pet being killed, a gunfight in a ravine, a near fatal injury, got the back story on the Revolutionaries and Federal Soldiers, as well as being treated to a Three Stooges-esque camping scene...and it still read slowly. 😱🤷🏻♀️😬😳
4. For all of that, I really appreciate this book. Mostly because the notes in my Modern Library Edition were extremely thorough and well-written. I’ve never read anything from Mexico before this and all I knew of the Mexican Revolution came from by way of my knowledge of Henry David Thoreau and a 1950s Poncho Villa movie my grandpa was pretty keen on. So you better believe I was using those notes like a lifeline!
5. Speaking of Poncho Villa - those larger than life figures are present in this book but they take a backseat to the real revolutionary heroes - the average people. I really did enjoy this book but it’s not one I’d pick up in future to read for fun or an escape. It is however one I’m very glad I’ve read.
talypollywaly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An essential read for those looking into the Mexican Revolution or Mexican history in general.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Gun violence
giovannigf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sbcrra's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"And the answer is this: the revolution is a hurricane, and when a man surrenders himself to her, he ceases to be a man and becomes, instead, a lowly leaf blown wildly about by the winds... (p.60)"
I think this line very adequately sums up the book. Sergio Waisman's translation is amazing and I found myself constantly referencing the note section which was very informative.
danperlman's review against another edition
3.0
Muy interesante, y, lei al lado de una traducción en inglés. (Que, mas interesante, era muy diferente!)
robinlm's review
4.0
Very interesting novel about the Mexican Revolution, which I'll admit I know almost nothing about. Encompasses the moral dilemma of a violent overthrow of a dictator and the effects of violence on the rebels. Good read, good writing.