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hannahh's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
novaprime's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Octavio's Journey contains an allegory for Venezuela's history and you will probably get a lot more out of it with some prior knowledge. I know next to nothing about Venezuela but can only assume it's had the same problems of colonisation as the rest of South America.
The scene where a burglar politely expects a homeowner to disclose the location of a key or otherwise destroying something they both hold dear feels very much like it's referring to a specific event. In a more general term I can see it portraying the relationship between the indigenous people and the Spanish; the oppressed having no choice but to give in to the oppressor.
Without the knowledge of the country's history, it read more like a collection of fable-like stories, connected by Octavio's presence. It talks of the introduction religion and the modernisation of Venezuela.
At the start of the story Octavio is illiterate. A visiting doctor forgets his prescription pad and writes on Octavio’s table instead. Unable to decipher the scenarios but unwilling to admit his ignorance, his resulting actions go to show the lengths people will go, to hide their illiteracy.
Octavio is fascinated by the ancient symbols he sees in a friend’s house. As circumstances make him travel far from his home, he grows, helps others and learns to read. Perhaps inspired by the culture that has been wiped away by the colonists. I would love to hear from people who read this knowing more about Venezuela than me!
Review copy provided by publisher.
The scene where a burglar politely expects a homeowner to disclose the location of a key or otherwise destroying something they both hold dear feels very much like it's referring to a specific event. In a more general term I can see it portraying the relationship between the indigenous people and the Spanish; the oppressed having no choice but to give in to the oppressor.
Without the knowledge of the country's history, it read more like a collection of fable-like stories, connected by Octavio's presence. It talks of the introduction religion and the modernisation of Venezuela.
At the start of the story Octavio is illiterate. A visiting doctor forgets his prescription pad and writes on Octavio’s table instead. Unable to decipher the scenarios but unwilling to admit his ignorance, his resulting actions go to show the lengths people will go, to hide their illiteracy.
Octavio is fascinated by the ancient symbols he sees in a friend’s house. As circumstances make him travel far from his home, he grows, helps others and learns to read. Perhaps inspired by the culture that has been wiped away by the colonists. I would love to hear from people who read this knowing more about Venezuela than me!
Review copy provided by publisher.
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, and Body horror
Octavio kisses Venezuela without her consent. She pulls back and shakes her head. He kisses her again and then she is surprised by his passion. She seemingly consents with "she felt a sudden urge to be marooned with him" and the scene ends.cricca's review
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
embem_'s review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ist ein sehr schönes, ruhiges Buch. Sehr interessanter Charakter, bei dem ich mich frage, in wie weit er stellvertretend für Venezuelas Geschichte steht.
Es bleiben auf jeden Fall ein paar offene Fragen, aber trotzdem wirkt die Geschichte rund.
Es bleiben auf jeden Fall ein paar offene Fragen, aber trotzdem wirkt die Geschichte rund.
pbinterrupted's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Every people has its original wound: ours is the collapse of our history. In order to rebuild it, we've had to turn to myth."
What a wonderful little story! The prose was amazing (props to the translator! I would've loved to read the original French... if only I were more fluent in it.) and so was the overall trajectory of Octavio's story. I love how Bonnefoy closed the circle at the end of the book, although I would've appreciated more length so as to learn more about Octavio and maybe what happened to Venezuela (the character) by the end. I'm sure a few of the allegories and metaphors flew by me because I read this on a slow and sleepy day, but I did catch a few and all of them were executed well.
What a wonderful little story! The prose was amazing (props to the translator! I would've loved to read the original French... if only I were more fluent in it.) and so was the overall trajectory of Octavio's story. I love how Bonnefoy closed the circle at the end of the book, although I would've appreciated more length so as to learn more about Octavio and maybe what happened to Venezuela (the character) by the end. I'm sure a few of the allegories and metaphors flew by me because I read this on a slow and sleepy day, but I did catch a few and all of them were executed well.
queerloras's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Body horror, Confinement, Death, and Pregnancy
charlottejones952's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25