Reviews

No se disfruta leer tanto como en el idioma de uno. Primera vez que leo a este autor y me impresionó. El tema: la trágica historia moderna de Colombia y cómo ésta afectó a sus habitantes y por otro lado la inocencia de una joven norteaméricana que deseaba cambiar la triste realidad de un país extraño y traumatizado. Escobar, el narcotraficante en las sombras tal cual un fantasma no dispuesto a desaparecer del todo. Ricardo Laverde, Antonio Yammara y Elaine Fritts víctimas ordinarias y la vez extraordinarias de las circunstancias.

El señor Vásquez pinta con palabras no solo el ambiente pero lo que sienten sus personajes."Y luego la primera línea, suelta y solitaria, apoyada sobre el párrafo que la seguía como un suicida sobre su cornisa." "a abrirse pasos a codazos por entre la sopa de lentajas de los pasajeros." Tarde me acordé de tomar notas de las perlas que encontré al leer. Veré de leer más libros de este autor.

ja3m3's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is an interesting and heart-wrenching account regarding the impact that the Colombian drug wars had on the generation of teenagers who grew-up in Colombia during the 1980s. The writing flows and Vasquez elegantly shares the fear and sadness of a people who have lost their youth. The translation was excellent.

ginavulpes's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

bikes_books_yarn's review against another edition

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4.0

Really well written. Descriptive language without going overboard. There were a few sentences that had me pausing and staring off while I thought them through, not because I couldn't get the meaning behind them, but because it prompted further thought. My mind went off on a thoughtful tangent.It makes me happy when a book provokes thoughts. I enjoyed the book and am happy I read it - but I admit the book did not satisfy me. I don't need a nice bow to be wrapped around a story, but perhaps a stronger box with a hint of a lid? I just wanted a little more.

narbanian's review

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dark informative 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

4.25

racheladventure's review against another edition

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3.0

Interesting but depressing read. The narrator reads as a commentary on a sort of general PTSD in Bogota from the violent past (exhibiting an inability to get past what has happened, while those who were not part of the history seem to be the only ones who can move forward). Well written, and a good read for when I was in Bogota. I need to study more of the history.

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