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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
actualresultsmayvary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.0
What on Earth was that book?
For the first time in years I found myself actively putting off reading because it was so unenjoyable. Usually I really love short chapters in books but this time it seemed to just make it feel longer and it dragged on and on and on.
There was basically no plot to speak of and the book seemed to end without any conclusion which maybe is supposed to make you want to read the third one but it certainly hasn't done that for me! Although I do own the third one so who knows maybe I will read it at some point.
There were multiple mentions of violent rape and abuse which were talked about casually and without proper respect as well as mentions of paedophile and incest which again were breezed over.
I think my overwhelming opinion of this book was just 'why?'.
I would have rated it lower but there was the odd chapter that I did enjoy and I feel that maybe with some serious editing a passable book could be created from the ashes of this one.
gracebevis's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, I did not enjoy this book BUT I did think it was an easy read.
I think I had to accept that some chapters I would just not understand what was going on (which I hated) in order to get through the book.
I didn’t like any of the characters, nor care what happened to them.
The end of the book was easier to understand purely because a good few of the characters were killed off - but the last chapter was v boring (even though it supposedly tied everything up) and I had to force myself through it.
Awarding two stars though because as I say it was easy to read and I found some parts funny-ish.
I think I had to accept that some chapters I would just not understand what was going on (which I hated) in order to get through the book.
I didn’t like any of the characters, nor care what happened to them.
The end of the book was easier to understand purely because a good few of the characters were killed off - but the last chapter was v boring (even though it supposedly tied everything up) and I had to force myself through it.
Awarding two stars though because as I say it was easy to read and I found some parts funny-ish.
alextind's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
This ended up on my shelf as it appears on the 1001 list, however I had no idea it’s the second book of a trilogy until after I had finished it!
It’s certainly like nothing I’ve read before, the chapters flittered about but generally it was easy to follow. I loved the way that Senor Vivo managed to evade the attempts on his life from the Coca lord, seemingly just by luck, but enough that made people think he had some kind of magic power. I did find the violence a bIt much for some reason, and I’m used to crime novels, but one scene in particular made me feel quite sad so that I had to put the book down a give myself a bit of time before picking it back up.
Overall an interesting read and if the others in the trilogy landed with me at some point I would prefer backyard read them.
It’s certainly like nothing I’ve read before, the chapters flittered about but generally it was easy to follow. I loved the way that Senor Vivo managed to evade the attempts on his life from the Coca lord, seemingly just by luck, but enough that made people think he had some kind of magic power. I did find the violence a bIt much for some reason, and I’m used to crime novels, but one scene in particular made me feel quite sad so that I had to put the book down a give myself a bit of time before picking it back up.
Overall an interesting read and if the others in the trilogy landed with me at some point I would prefer backyard read them.
alicedr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i love this book its so funny and the writing styles brilliant
i should probably reread red dog
i should probably reread red dog
overheat4600's review against another edition
4.0
I preferred the first book in series, but good was good too.
futurelegend's review against another edition
2.0
This is a continuation of the surreal story of The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, which I very much enjoyed when I read it a few years ago. It also addresses the very serious issue of the cocaine trade in South America, with its attendant corruption and extreme violence.
In places it is very funny; in others it is sickening in its graphic violence (but that is no more than a reflection of the real-life situation. There are flashes of eroticism of rare intensity. The whole thing is a terrifically good idea. Unfortunately though, it seems a bit of a mess. It could do with a good editor and a lot of pruning.
In places it is very funny; in others it is sickening in its graphic violence (but that is no more than a reflection of the real-life situation. There are flashes of eroticism of rare intensity. The whole thing is a terrifically good idea. Unfortunately though, it seems a bit of a mess. It could do with a good editor and a lot of pruning.
jellyneckz's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book because of the black cat on the cover.