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thirzaisreading's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
95koobis's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marianacastroe8's review against another edition
4.0
Esta novela no es de ficción. Parece serlo, pero aunque se cuenta una historia ficticia de una guerra ficticia en un pueblo ficticio, lo que se narra es la realidad de Colombia. Ismael es un profesor de pueblo, que llegando a su vejez nos cuenta en primera persona cómo estalla una guerra de Ejércitos enfrentados en la que siempre la peor parte se la lleva el campesino olvidado por el Estado.
La guerra irrumpe silenciosamente en este pueblo. Primero con susurros e incertidumbre; esa idea de que “algo terrible va a pasar” sin saber exactamente qué y sin saber a manos de quién quedará la gente. Después la guerra se va llevando personas que desaparecen o que huyen voluntariamente. La guerra estalla en definitiva con la ausencia y la sensación de que el pueblo se ve arrebatado de su tierra. Ismael nos cuenta cómo su esposa Otilia desaparece y cómo su ausencia arrastra tanto dolor en la vida de Ismael. Rosero logra penetrar en el desarraigo y en la necesidad urgente de huir, y se sirve de un recurso constante en la novela: las miradas para reconocer al otro y reconocerse en el otro. Su estilo es pausado, simple y dolorosamente bello.
Qué dolor de patria, qué dolor de realidad y qué dolor saber que todos hemos contribuido a que haya infinidad de ejércitos enfrentados. Recomiendo esta novela a cualquier colombiano y a cualquier persona que desde el privilegio ignore la realidad del campo latinoamericano.
La guerra irrumpe silenciosamente en este pueblo. Primero con susurros e incertidumbre; esa idea de que “algo terrible va a pasar” sin saber exactamente qué y sin saber a manos de quién quedará la gente. Después la guerra se va llevando personas que desaparecen o que huyen voluntariamente. La guerra estalla en definitiva con la ausencia y la sensación de que el pueblo se ve arrebatado de su tierra. Ismael nos cuenta cómo su esposa Otilia desaparece y cómo su ausencia arrastra tanto dolor en la vida de Ismael. Rosero logra penetrar en el desarraigo y en la necesidad urgente de huir, y se sirve de un recurso constante en la novela: las miradas para reconocer al otro y reconocerse en el otro. Su estilo es pausado, simple y dolorosamente bello.
Qué dolor de patria, qué dolor de realidad y qué dolor saber que todos hemos contribuido a que haya infinidad de ejércitos enfrentados. Recomiendo esta novela a cualquier colombiano y a cualquier persona que desde el privilegio ignore la realidad del campo latinoamericano.
jherreram's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
flexluthor's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Rosero reminded me so much of Roberto Bolaño: the story of the everyday (although kind of perverted) countryman swept up in the violence currently ravaging their country. This book could have easily fit as one of the sections of 2666 had the action taken place in Mexico instead of Colombia. I think it's maybe about how little one can understand about violence committed on a countrywide scale? Especially the strange 3-way war being fought in Colombia. Juxtaposed with the confusion seemingly inherent to growing older. It was interesting, and a quick enough read to not be bothersome.
marmarta's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A very good, very dreadful book. It will stay with me, like a half-remembered nightmare.
tommooney's review
4.0
THE ARMIES by Evelio Rosero. A devastating portrait of life during the Colombian civil war.
Ismael, a slightly pervy retired teacher, spends his days picking oranges and spying on his neighbour as she sunbathes naked. He visits the cafe in town and chats with the locals. He spars with his wife of 40 years.
But life in this small town is scarred by the ongoing war, which breezes sporadically through, leaving in its wake a hurricane of violence and death. Disappearances, murder, explosions, then gone. Which side was it this time? Who knows? Who cares?
Written in sultry, classic prose, Rosero paints the profound effects of war on those innocent bystanders caught up in its terror.
Ismael, a slightly pervy retired teacher, spends his days picking oranges and spying on his neighbour as she sunbathes naked. He visits the cafe in town and chats with the locals. He spars with his wife of 40 years.
But life in this small town is scarred by the ongoing war, which breezes sporadically through, leaving in its wake a hurricane of violence and death. Disappearances, murder, explosions, then gone. Which side was it this time? Who knows? Who cares?
Written in sultry, classic prose, Rosero paints the profound effects of war on those innocent bystanders caught up in its terror.
h_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25