Such a fantastic book about a horrid, wretched time in Dominican Republic (and the Carribbean countries around it). The writing is smooth, almost cineSuch a fantastic book about a horrid, wretched time in Dominican Republic (and the Carribbean countries around it). The writing is smooth, almost cinematic, and the narrative is tight and emotionally powerful. I loved the idea of telling the story from three very different perspectives. More than that, it lays bare the personality cult that existed around Trujillo and his family and the endless torture, misery, servility and the cruelty that persisted in these 30 years. I think, when starting off, you can feel jaded because it drops you right in the middle of 1995 especially if, like me, you have no idea what happened in Dominican Republic.
Some characters have been written really well esp. Balaquer Abbes Garcia, Urania. It also helps that Llosa creates a vivid portrait of a director that ruled with an iron fist, for three decades or so.
Highly, highly recommend.
Merged review:
Such a fantastic book about a horrid, wretched time in Dominican Republic (and the Carribbean countries around it). The writing is smooth, almost cinematic, and the narrative is tight and emotionally powerful. I loved the idea of telling the story from three very different perspectives. More than that, it lays bare the personality cult that existed around Trujillo and his family and the endless torture, misery, servility and the cruelty that persisted in these 30 years. I think, when starting off, you can feel jaded because it drops you right in the middle of 1995 especially if, like me, you have no idea what happened in Dominican Republic.
Some characters have been written really well esp. Balaquer Abbes Garcia, Urania. It also helps that Llosa creates a vivid portrait of a director that ruled with an iron fist, for three decades or so.
Incredibly written and so, so rageful. I think channeling this rage and anger is a very solid response to centuries of colonialist robbery that all ofIncredibly written and so, so rageful. I think channeling this rage and anger is a very solid response to centuries of colonialist robbery that all of the global south has endured. From the early Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors who stole Silver and Gold to the Aluminium, Guano, and Tin thefts to the subversion of democratic leaders and exploitation of lithium and petroleum deposits - one would wonder how exactly would it stop and when, and yet the march of progress and capitalism carries on. Calls for reparations feel inadequate when you consider the amount of death, slavery, and torture suffered by the natives as well as the current peoples of these lands. And yet, that is but a very small step towards some semblance of equality and justice. One would hope that this phase of human history where democracy is taking baby steps does lead to a more just world. But reading the book places you front, right and center in a pit of misery and hopelessness....more
This has been, by far, the most horrifying and gut wrenching book I've ever read. The sheer terror and violence carried out in Congo for more than a dThis has been, by far, the most horrifying and gut wrenching book I've ever read. The sheer terror and violence carried out in Congo for more than a decade is crushing to read about. Colonialism has truly been the cancer of this planet and it has just taken new form - instead of European and North American countries with colonies, it is the corporation from the same countries that now hold massive amounts of land and resources. The indigenous population was starved to death then and is now worked to death. To say that Congo was a one-off and that it was "generally less bad" is to be an idiot. No colonial power has ever had any altruistic motives other than to plunder, rape and loot a country's valuables (and its history). Also was shocked to find there are Leopold admirers and apologists. I don't know whats going on in their brains, but to call *them* humans is a disservice. I think it is indicative that sometimes our horror reaches such a peak that the only way to describe it is "non-human" and yet the violence goes on and on and on....more
I went in with the assumption that this book was science-y but it was anything but.
Very hopeful and philosophical, funny and sad in equal parts. I camI went in with the assumption that this book was science-y but it was anything but.
Very hopeful and philosophical, funny and sad in equal parts. I came out of this book feeling optimistic - and I was pleasantly surprised with it.
Covers a whole lot of areas I absolutely did not expect to be reading about, but all in all it wraps things up pretty well. If you too, like me, finds religion and God unsatisfactory when trying to be hopeful, and instead prefer a more rationalist response to cosmic meaninglessness: this book might help you....more
By no means is this book academically exhaustive or comprehensive. Neither does it support its arguments with overwhelming evidence. But it doesn't stBy no means is this book academically exhaustive or comprehensive. Neither does it support its arguments with overwhelming evidence. But it doesn't start off as one that makes any of those claims.
The power of its content matter is in its expansive nature. You'd have to perform mental gymnasatics reminiscent of the cirque du soleil to reject its premise and arguments. So much of modern day indian society is shaped and corrupted by patriarchal forces that it has become inescapable and all too pervasive.
Lucid, very accessible and undoubtedly thought provoking....more
Read this on a bus ride and it made me miserable the whole way.
This is a good work of non fiction, although the narrative seems off and lanky - almostRead this on a bus ride and it made me miserable the whole way.
This is a good work of non fiction, although the narrative seems off and lanky - almost unplanned. Maybe it was me.
V interesting to see how nationalism and religion was a driving force in helping the city rise back. I do wish that the ethics of the bomb were talked about a bit more. Horrifying stuff though....more
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