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pkiwi's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It felt unfinished and random, like the different storylines weren't properly connected and several (like the president's and Lazaro's) were actually quite pointless and had nothing to do with the actual story. To me, it also lacked action. I was left with the feeling nothing really happened until the last 30 pages or so and then that action felt really tacked on. Like the writer suddenly saw his deadline looming and remembered he still had a book to wrap up. The plot was too easily resolved, undermining the danger and thrill set up in the first two parts. I don't say this often, but this book would've probably been better if it had been twice as long.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Dionisio Vivo is a philosophy teacher in Ipasueño, who begins writing letters to the national newspaper about the effects of the coca trade on the people of this unnamed South American country (though, presumably Columbia). He’s a young man, given to idealism, and his letters are full of outrage and obvious concern for the poor of his country. And then corpses begin turning up on his front lawn. His friend, Ramon, an honest (!) policeman finds the message all too clear: the drug lords want Dionisio to stop his tirades against them in the press. A series of assassination attempts fail, leading to speculation that Dionisio is a powerful brujo (witch or wizard). But if his life is somehow charmed, that protection doesn’t necessarily extend to those he loves.
What a fun romp of a satire, full of magical realism and totally outrageous scenarios, one more fantastical than the next. I laughed aloud in many places, and cried out in dismay in others.
This is the second in de Bernières “Latin American Trilogy,” after [b:The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts|3394|The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts|Louis de Bernières|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404216653s/3394.jpg|13337]. While it can be read as a stand-alone novel, the reader who has read the first book will have the background story that explains – if such supernatural elements can be explained – some of the more fantastical plot points and characters.
The language de Bernières employs is nothing short of delightful. Colorful phrases abound, and lend an air of fantasy and mysticism that just tickles my fancy. The story shifts perspective from chapter to chapter, sometimes leaving the reader feeling dizzy and disoriented. But as is true of many novels of this genre, the reader who can suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride will find much to enjoy.
What a fun romp of a satire, full of magical realism and totally outrageous scenarios, one more fantastical than the next. I laughed aloud in many places, and cried out in dismay in others.
This is the second in de Bernières “Latin American Trilogy,” after [b:The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts|3394|The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts|Louis de Bernières|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404216653s/3394.jpg|13337]. While it can be read as a stand-alone novel, the reader who has read the first book will have the background story that explains – if such supernatural elements can be explained – some of the more fantastical plot points and characters.
The language de Bernières employs is nothing short of delightful. Colorful phrases abound, and lend an air of fantasy and mysticism that just tickles my fancy. The story shifts perspective from chapter to chapter, sometimes leaving the reader feeling dizzy and disoriented. But as is true of many novels of this genre, the reader who can suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride will find much to enjoy.
rocketiza's review against another edition
3.0
A bit too meandering in the middle for my tastes but less so than the more unreadable end of this genre.
peter_fischer's review against another edition
5.0
Second instalment of de Bernières’ fabulous Latin American Trilogy. If you’re into magic realism, don’t miss this!
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 STARS
"A sequel to "The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts". Dionisio Vivo, a young South American lecturer in philosophy, leads a charmed life in a world where the supernatural is routine. He is insulated from attacks by the local coca lord's hit-men, by a sense of justice and pig-headed integrity." (From Amazon)
I like de Bernieres writting but I'm not into this series but will finish it.
"A sequel to "The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts". Dionisio Vivo, a young South American lecturer in philosophy, leads a charmed life in a world where the supernatural is routine. He is insulated from attacks by the local coca lord's hit-men, by a sense of justice and pig-headed integrity." (From Amazon)
I like de Bernieres writting but I'm not into this series but will finish it.
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
5.0
Great if at times hard read. Mirrors many parts of Latin America unflinchingly but you might want to flinch at times.
siria's review against another edition
3.0
Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord is a parody, pastiche and example of magical realism in equal measure—the tale of a philosophy professor, Dionisio Vivo, from a country not unlike Colombia, who begins a war of letters in the newspaper editorial pages against a major drug trafficker, and is forced to end it in great violence. This is not a book for the faint-hearted (I'm not joking about the degree of violence) nor is it a book for someone who finds the magical realism genre tiresome (de Bernières avoids it ever being twee, but it is a bold and sometimes buffoonish element of the book, played for laughs and sarcasm), but if you like your novels in uncompromisingly primary colours, you might well enjoy it. It's not my favourite of his books, but I did enjoy it—though having read de Bernières for the first time in a while, since I've started to educate myself a little more about the things which underpin what I read, the fact that it's a white British guy writing a satire set in a Latin American country... I don't know quite how to categorise it, but at times it felt a little—voyeuristic? Is that the right word? There were sections where it felt as if he was almost making another country his playground, and that made for uncomfortable reading.
barbarabarbara's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
dwrevans's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Usually find Lou de Ber pretty reliable but this just felt messy and a bit all over the place. Still charming in parts but just not structured in a way which gives anything much weight imo