This is the fifth Vargas Lllosa book I've read, and apart from Feast of the Goat (like) I haven't really liked or disliked any of them. Why do I keep reading? GREAT QUESTION. Anyway.
Finally one of them came down solidly on the dislike side for me. Other reviewers seem to love this so maybe I'm the odd one out, but it was not for me. First of all I think this book is at least 100 pages too long-there are certain sections, especially battle descriptions, that I ended up skimming. Also holy unnecessary rape scenes, batman. In the end I don't have any complaints about Vargas Llosa's writing style, which is similar to his other works I've read, but I just didn't enjoy reading this book. I usually do fine with dark subject matter but this was just bleak. I get the argument about the dangers of fanaticism etc etc but if I'm putting in the time for a 500+ page novel I'd like to feel like I get something out of it, and with this I just didn't, except being disturbed and depressed. Definitely think he's an author worth checking out, but if you haven't read him before I wouldn't start with this one.
Finally one of them came down solidly on the dislike side for me. Other reviewers seem to love this so maybe I'm the odd one out, but it was not for me. First of all I think this book is at least 100 pages too long-there are certain sections, especially battle descriptions, that I ended up skimming. Also holy unnecessary rape scenes, batman. In the end I don't have any complaints about Vargas Llosa's writing style, which is similar to his other works I've read, but I just didn't enjoy reading this book. I usually do fine with dark subject matter but this was just bleak. I get the argument about the dangers of fanaticism etc etc but if I'm putting in the time for a 500+ page novel I'd like to feel like I get something out of it, and with this I just didn't, except being disturbed and depressed. Definitely think he's an author worth checking out, but if you haven't read him before I wouldn't start with this one.
