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A review by graygarrido
Paradais by Fernanda Melchor
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Despite how short Paradais is in length, Melchor is able to create a work that explores machismo, colorism, violence, and misogyny within modern day Mexican society.
Paradais is narrated in third person, following Polo: a poor 16 year old high school dropout that works as a groundskeeper for a luxury gated community called Paradise (Para-dais), and has dreams to one day run away from his overbearing mother & narco-controlled village. It is working at Paradise that Polo meets Franco aka Fatboy: one of the tenants of Paradise, a rich, overweight güero who has a sick and twisted sexual obsession with his neighbor. In their desperation to fulfill their own fantasies, the two boys embark on a dangerous mission.
When reading Paradais one can’t help but feel as those they’re suffocating in the sticky oppressive heat of Mexican summers right alongside Polo. Or feel the rage and desolation that consumes him and turns his insides into acid. Melchor’s writing entraps the senses, making it a novel that you cannot only see but taste and smell. She has full control over your anxiety, over your disgust. In fact I believe that Melchor wants you to feel that disgust above all else. To drown in it.
For Paradais not only exposes the underbelly of Mexican society but it cuts it open, showing us the rot and infestation that has been allowed to accumulate for decades. Urging the reader to ask themselves, “what now?”
Paradais is narrated in third person, following Polo: a poor 16 year old high school dropout that works as a groundskeeper for a luxury gated community called Paradise (Para-dais), and has dreams to one day run away from his overbearing mother & narco-controlled village. It is working at Paradise that Polo meets Franco aka Fatboy: one of the tenants of Paradise, a rich, overweight güero who has a sick and twisted sexual obsession with his neighbor. In their desperation to fulfill their own fantasies, the two boys embark on a dangerous mission.
When reading Paradais one can’t help but feel as those they’re suffocating in the sticky oppressive heat of Mexican summers right alongside Polo. Or feel the rage and desolation that consumes him and turns his insides into acid. Melchor’s writing entraps the senses, making it a novel that you cannot only see but taste and smell. She has full control over your anxiety, over your disgust. In fact I believe that Melchor wants you to feel that disgust above all else. To drown in it.
For Paradais not only exposes the underbelly of Mexican society but it cuts it open, showing us the rot and infestation that has been allowed to accumulate for decades. Urging the reader to ask themselves, “what now?”