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magic_miles's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
olya_hakob's review against another edition
Pedro Páramo is considered one of the most important works of Latin American literature and a formative influence on Magic Realism. Importantly, as the narration cannot unambiguously be interpreted as reality, the novel cannot be cleanly classified as Magic Realism.
One aspect that is striking about this novel is the setting and the imagery. It's easy to get immersed in the world that the author tried to convey, although at times it was hard to follow which story is being told. Despite the overall gloomy tone, there are ingenious pieces of humor, such as this passage:
That town sits on the coals of the earth, at the very mouth of hell. They say that when people from there die and go to hell, they come back for a blanket
In terms of content, do not expect any heartwarming or feel-good story. This is a bluntly honest book about the loss of hope, hope that had once fuelled people's lives and then ended up succumbing to the harsh reality. The most unsettling thing was that the death (of hope) does not end anything but leads to a dragging and paralytic "purgatory" existence. Not a perspective anybody would like to imagine let alone encounter but something that unfortunately does happen.
Finally, the character of Pedro Páramo himself. He seems an epitome of a self-absorbed, incompetent, and authoritarian leader, somebody who might just "cross his arms" and let people starve. A leader whose unwise decisions might destroy the fates of countless people. A leader who forces people into uncomfortable moral dilemmas: think of the priest that had to act against his moral compass because "prayers don't fill a stomach".
Overall, a very gloomy yet important novel full of vivid descriptions and thought-provoking turns.
One aspect that is striking about this novel is the setting and the imagery. It's easy to get immersed in the world that the author tried to convey, although at times it was hard to follow which story is being told. Despite the overall gloomy tone, there are ingenious pieces of humor, such as this passage:
That town sits on the coals of the earth, at the very mouth of hell. They say that when people from there die and go to hell, they come back for a blanket
In terms of content, do not expect any heartwarming or feel-good story. This is a bluntly honest book about the loss of hope, hope that had once fuelled people's lives and then ended up succumbing to the harsh reality. The most unsettling thing was that the death (of hope) does not end anything but leads to a dragging and paralytic "purgatory" existence. Not a perspective anybody would like to imagine let alone encounter but something that unfortunately does happen.
Finally, the character of Pedro Páramo himself. He seems an epitome of a self-absorbed, incompetent, and authoritarian leader, somebody who might just "cross his arms" and let people starve. A leader whose unwise decisions might destroy the fates of countless people. A leader who forces people into uncomfortable moral dilemmas: think of the priest that had to act against his moral compass because "prayers don't fill a stomach".
Overall, a very gloomy yet important novel full of vivid descriptions and thought-provoking turns.
sydneyedens's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
wow! made my brain hurt a little, but in the good way. gotta reread honestly. you can see where garcía márquez gets his inspo!!! very beautiful overall
pgrbeare's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
affiknittyreads's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sebassthefish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
empoleon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
fast-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
4.5
I know, I know, I have to read this one again. But here's what I have to say:
This is the shortest, yet most confusing book I've read this year. However, I've recognized that the challenge of the book, with its constantly switching narrators, unusual style of dialogue, and dreamlike, unordered narrative, are what make the book a literary classic. Yes, this book will require stopping and thinking. But you'll find that the strange world of Pedro Paramo is compelling because of its complexities and the tragedies that the characters experience trying to save themselves from a death they've already faced.
This is the shortest, yet most confusing book I've read this year. However, I've recognized that the challenge of the book, with its constantly switching narrators, unusual style of dialogue, and dreamlike, unordered narrative, are what make the book a literary classic. Yes, this book will require stopping and thinking. But you'll find that the strange world of Pedro Paramo is compelling because of its complexities and the tragedies that the characters experience trying to save themselves from a death they've already faced.
mkiernanw's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
josemclr's review against another edition
5.0
Lo que más me gustó y sorprendió de la novela fue la atmósfera. Es lúgubre y misteriosa pero al mismo tiempo se siente cierta calidez en el aire. Las descripciones me hacían creer que estaba leyendo una historia de terror pero, después de todo, los personajes fueron el corazón de la historia y los que la llenaron de vida a pesar de la presencia tan prominente de la muerte. Pero pues, en general, se me hizo muy triste de todos modos.