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pennyforyourthoughts's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is complicated. The genre confused me at first as the back of the book calls it fiction, though I would say it is more of historical fiction with a mix of memoir. The reality this book displays, even with questioning of the details is so important. It connected me to the turbulent history of Chile even though I got confused at times. The writing style was beautiful and I hope the original version was properly represented through this translation. It feels like a daydream but has enough focal points to keep the reader connected to what is going on. The brutality of the past is not hidden away in this book, only elevated. I think I will appreciate this book even more on a reread, maybe after some research of my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Torture, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Death, Gun violence, Police brutality, Violence, and War
cpbindel's review
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
How many people had to disappear in order for global capitalism to dominate South America?
This book conveys the irreality that comes from living under a state that regularly disappears family and friends, living in a neighborhood where the house next door could be a torture center, or living a “normal life” only by betraying friends by reporting their organizing to the police. Popular media from the Avengers to Frankenstein to Back to the Future to The Twilight Zone are woven in and around the narrator’s tale in a way that heightens the feeling of confusion and dismay at the omissions and violence of a military dictatorship.
This book is particularly powerful in its focus on one character, “The Man Who Tortured People,” and his complex moral position throughout his confession his flight out of the country and his quiet lifelong witness to his participation in his country’s crimes against its own citizens.
This book conveys the irreality that comes from living under a state that regularly disappears family and friends, living in a neighborhood where the house next door could be a torture center, or living a “normal life” only by betraying friends by reporting their organizing to the police. Popular media from the Avengers to Frankenstein to Back to the Future to The Twilight Zone are woven in and around the narrator’s tale in a way that heightens the feeling of confusion and dismay at the omissions and violence of a military dictatorship.
This book is particularly powerful in its focus on one character, “The Man Who Tortured People,” and his complex moral position throughout his confession his flight out of the country and his quiet lifelong witness to his participation in his country’s crimes against its own citizens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, and Torture
subdue_provide75's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
Very well-written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Torture
Minor: Sexual violence
minary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Kidnapping, Torture, Sexual violence, and Death
smuds2's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
UNFINISHED
REVIEW RATING SYSTEM - [ 1 = FELT DECEIVED, 2 = NOT WHAT I EXPECTED IN A BAD WAY BUT WASN'T A WASTE OF TIME, 3 = WHAT I EXPECTED FELT LIKE MY TIME WAS USED AS EXPECTED, 4 = PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, 5 = THINKING ABOUT IT MONTHS LATER ]
RULES : (1) can not give anything a 5 outright, must either be a re-read or a update to score, (2) can not give incremental ratings, except for 4.75 which is functionally a "revisit in case it is actually a 5", (3) I should always end with a "this leads me to think" of 2-3 ideas this book roused in me.
REVIEW RATING SYSTEM - [ 1 = FELT DECEIVED, 2 = NOT WHAT I EXPECTED IN A BAD WAY BUT WASN'T A WASTE OF TIME, 3 = WHAT I EXPECTED FELT LIKE MY TIME WAS USED AS EXPECTED, 4 = PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, 5 = THINKING ABOUT IT MONTHS LATER ]
RULES : (1) can not give anything a 5 outright, must either be a re-read or a update to score, (2) can not give incremental ratings, except for 4.75 which is functionally a "revisit in case it is actually a 5", (3) I should always end with a "this leads me to think" of 2-3 ideas this book roused in me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Torture, Sexual violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death, Murder, War, Gun violence, and Police brutality
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