regis_me's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
I really enjoyed the metaphors of the book and loved the challenge of reading a book that jumps from last to present without a guide. It is easy to get confused but this emphasizes the point of the book.
wincher2031's review against another edition
1.0
Starts out with a promising plot hook before promptly abandoning plot altogether.
I had hopes that this would be one of those rare instances where this experiment would work; where plot can be partially sacrificed for the elevation of other ingredients in new ways.
Instead, I hate to say that Pedro Paramo is just a collection of brief conversations between wafer-thin characters that don't go anywhere. I was equally disappointed in the complete lack of context linking these vignettes together, leaving the overall book as a trivial mess.
I was eager to enjoy this one but it just wasn't meant to be.
I had hopes that this would be one of those rare instances where this experiment would work; where plot can be partially sacrificed for the elevation of other ingredients in new ways.
Instead, I hate to say that Pedro Paramo is just a collection of brief conversations between wafer-thin characters that don't go anywhere. I was equally disappointed in the complete lack of context linking these vignettes together, leaving the overall book as a trivial mess.
I was eager to enjoy this one but it just wasn't meant to be.
sofcalvo's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
annakvaale's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
5.0
edwardpointsman's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
unfoldingdrama's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aldoojeda's review against another edition
5.0
No, pos sí. Pedro Páramo es todo lo que te han dicho que es. Al epónimo del libro lo conocemos por los murmullos de los muertos, que recuerdan de manera no consecutiva y en saltos lo sucedido en el pueblo de Comala. Capa por capa la historia se desmaraña de manera deliciosa.
elanadoren's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
yungjulchen's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lookhome's review against another edition
4.0
In the village of Comala, the divide between the living and the dead has disintegrated.
The consequences of a single deed has brought utter catastrophe to a village populated by thugs, saints, rebels and priests...
Yeats' poem The Second Coming probably sums up the sensation best:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world...
This anarchy consists of tales of love, lust and loss in this quasi-picaresque set of macabre stories.
While the prose is never more than a few moments away from bouts of wonder, the novel's true magic lies in Rulfo's ability to humanize and arguably vindicate his title character, Pedro Paramo's deplorable actions.
Subtly collapsing past and present, living and dead, normal and abnormal into a unique, wonder-filled narrative, we are left with a deceptively interconnected set of tales. We see a village populated of people whose lives have come undone by a man who may have simply loved too deeply in youth.
Strongly recommended.
The consequences of a single deed has brought utter catastrophe to a village populated by thugs, saints, rebels and priests...
Yeats' poem The Second Coming probably sums up the sensation best:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world...
This anarchy consists of tales of love, lust and loss in this quasi-picaresque set of macabre stories.
While the prose is never more than a few moments away from bouts of wonder, the novel's true magic lies in Rulfo's ability to humanize and arguably vindicate his title character, Pedro Paramo's deplorable actions.
Subtly collapsing past and present, living and dead, normal and abnormal into a unique, wonder-filled narrative, we are left with a deceptively interconnected set of tales. We see a village populated of people whose lives have come undone by a man who may have simply loved too deeply in youth.
Strongly recommended.