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yrsbrn's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-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
4.5
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
Carlo Borromeo annihilated the Renaissance by turning torture into the only way to practice Christianity. He was declared a saint the instant he died. Vasco de Quiroga saved a whole world single-handedly and died in 1565, and the process of his canonization has yet to begin. I don't know what this book is about. I know that as I wrote it I was angry because the bad guys always win. Maybe all books are written simply because in every game the bad guys have the advantage and that is too much to bear.
Describing what Alvaro Enrigue's odd novel is about is a thankless task. After all, when the author himself admits to not knowing what the book is about, how can the hapless reader (and I was very hapless) hope to write a tidy review? Sudden Death is structured around a sixteenth century tennis game between the Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo and the Italian artist Caravaggio. The novel ranges back and forth in time, from Hernán Cortés and the conquest of the Aztec kingdom to the Renaissance, amplified by comments and asides from the author, himself. There are tidbits on the history of tennis, a ton of history unfamiliar to this American reader and character studies of de Quevedo and Caravaggio. It's all very fabulous and unsettling.
It took me a while to settle into the rhythms and frenetic pace of this novel, but once I was there, I enjoyed it tremendously. It's a profane and heretical romp that leaves no historical figure unscathed. I had no doubt of Enrique's fierce wit or deep knowledge of the people and times he was writing about.
The popes of the Counter-Reformation were serious men, intent on their work, with little trace of worldliness. They put people to death in volume, preferably slowly and before an audience, but always after a trial. They were thoroughly nepotistic and they trafficked in influence as readily as one wipes one's nose on a cold day, but they had good reason: only family could be trusted, because if a pope left a flank exposed, any subordinate would slit his throat without trial. They had no mistresses or children; they wore sackcloth under their vestments; they smelled bad. They were great builders and tirelessly checked to see that not a single breast appeared in a single painting in any house of worship. They believed in what they did.
Describing what Alvaro Enrigue's odd novel is about is a thankless task. After all, when the author himself admits to not knowing what the book is about, how can the hapless reader (and I was very hapless) hope to write a tidy review? Sudden Death is structured around a sixteenth century tennis game between the Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo and the Italian artist Caravaggio. The novel ranges back and forth in time, from Hernán Cortés and the conquest of the Aztec kingdom to the Renaissance, amplified by comments and asides from the author, himself. There are tidbits on the history of tennis, a ton of history unfamiliar to this American reader and character studies of de Quevedo and Caravaggio. It's all very fabulous and unsettling.
It took me a while to settle into the rhythms and frenetic pace of this novel, but once I was there, I enjoyed it tremendously. It's a profane and heretical romp that leaves no historical figure unscathed. I had no doubt of Enrique's fierce wit or deep knowledge of the people and times he was writing about.
The popes of the Counter-Reformation were serious men, intent on their work, with little trace of worldliness. They put people to death in volume, preferably slowly and before an audience, but always after a trial. They were thoroughly nepotistic and they trafficked in influence as readily as one wipes one's nose on a cold day, but they had good reason: only family could be trusted, because if a pope left a flank exposed, any subordinate would slit his throat without trial. They had no mistresses or children; they wore sackcloth under their vestments; they smelled bad. They were great builders and tirelessly checked to see that not a single breast appeared in a single painting in any house of worship. They believed in what they did.
littletaiko's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not really sure what to say about this book. It's partially a story about a tennis match between Caravaggio and a poet that somehow involves a tennis ball made from Anne Boleyn's hair, there is a Spanish conquistador, and letters between the editor and author. The best way to sum this up is by this quote from the author:
Page 203 - “As I write, I don’t know what this book is about.”
Well if he doesn’t know then how the hell am I supposed to know?
Page 203 - “As I write, I don’t know what this book is about.”
Well if he doesn’t know then how the hell am I supposed to know?
alisonburnis's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Sudden Death is wildly original and also very confusing - but it doesn’t matter because it’s so good. This is a post-modern text built around a game of tennis between an artist and a duke, and also so much more. Enrigue manages to turn his strange and all over the place text into a compelling novel. His prose is just so good that despite the fact I hate tennis, I was drawn into the tennis facts and history Enrigue wove into the story.
sydneygard36's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so unique and expertly crafted. It involves art, history, executions, and tennis, and is beautifully written. I feel like this is one of those books where reading it again and again would continue to unearth new details and never get boring.
"Anyone who believes that earthly objects are all composed of the same group of substances, and that transformations are accomplished only by mechanical means, will naturally perceive the voice of God in the filthy fingernails...of Caravaggio's saints and virgins. The voice of a god more brilliant than capricious; a god unlike God, remote and uninterested in revealing himself in miracles beyond combustion or the balance of forces; a true god for everyone: the poor, the wicked, the politicians, the rent boys, and the millionaires."
"Anyone who believes that earthly objects are all composed of the same group of substances, and that transformations are accomplished only by mechanical means, will naturally perceive the voice of God in the filthy fingernails...of Caravaggio's saints and virgins. The voice of a god more brilliant than capricious; a god unlike God, remote and uninterested in revealing himself in miracles beyond combustion or the balance of forces; a true god for everyone: the poor, the wicked, the politicians, the rent boys, and the millionaires."
tensy's review against another edition
5.0
I will never look at the game of tennis the same way again. My daughter played competitive tennis for many years, and I never really knew the history of the game. Not that reading this novel will gain you much knowledge in terms of modern tennis. Imagine a tennis game played circa 1600 by a famous Spanish poet (Quevedo) and an Italian painter (Caravaggio) and the ball they are playing with is made from Ann Boleyn's hair, taken at her beheading by her executioner. This small novel is disorienting (much like the mushroom eating experience of the native Indians of Mexico) and includes a panoply of historical figures, such as Galileo, Hernan Cortes and a variety of Kings and Popes. The format itself is crazy with the author inserting himself in several chapters. If it had not been for the advice of other reviewers, I may have given up early. I am so very glad I did not. There are amazing observations in this book about the battles raged between cultures, religions and those who think they have won the game of conquest. Forget trying to make sense of it, just enjoy the ride, and you might learn something along the way. Tenez!
I am grateful to the Morning News 2017 Tournament of Books for selecting this title on their shortlist. I would never have heard of this otherwise.
Another great review: http://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-alvaro-enrigue-20160207-story.html
I am grateful to the Morning News 2017 Tournament of Books for selecting this title on their shortlist. I would never have heard of this otherwise.
Another great review: http://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-alvaro-enrigue-20160207-story.html
tkkemo's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most unique and beautiful books I’ve read. The structure is non-linear, but constantly circle’s back in on itself, and has the effect of giving you a sense of familiar mixed with wonder as you see an unfolding story that reveals itself tangled with history, art, anthropology, and more.
brendan_h's review against another edition
5.0
This book was far, far better than the synopsis on the jacket (copied in all its dreariness into the goodreads description) led me to believe it would be. Sad that I still haven't internalized that I shouldn't judge a book by the copy on its cover.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Weird but good. Post-modern fiction, authorial 4th wall breaking, a bit of tennis history, a bit of art history, a bit of Church history, and a lot of anger at how Cortes fucked up most of Mexico (getting rid of cannibalism is pretty much the only good). Good writing/translation.