gorecki's review against another edition
Revolutions turn things upside down for some and downside up for others. They put a stop to one way of living and open the door for another. Whether that's for better or worse depends on which side of the revolution you stand on. And that is essentially at the centre of this book, I believe. When the Angolan War for Independence breaks out, life takes a very different turn for many, but for Ludo it literally stops. Barricading herself in her apartment she closes herself off and spends almost 30 years completely isolated, living off things she grows or birds she catches on her balcony. I couldn't pass a book with a plot like that, but I have to start admitting I make questionable choices sometimes.
In itself, the writing in A General Theory of Oblivion is very good - evocative and rich. Agualusa brings his characters to life, but I'm afraid those are short lives that sank into oblivion quite quickly for me after I finished the book. I felt the short and straightforward storytelling simply sticking to providing a sequence of events did not do them justice. The narrative glides quickly between several storylines, each chapter is the story of a new character, all of which are interconnected. It was this quick jumping from one story to the next in short chapters that stick to describing events more than to world, character or atmosphere building that didn't work for me. As I was reading I couldn't help losing interest because I felt like I am reading an author's plan for a novel, the detailed plot description in which they lay out what will happen in each chapter and how all the plotlines will connect, rather than the actual completed story. I felt it lacked something - more substance, or connection, or language.
While all storylines are beautifully rounded and each separate one gets full connection and closure, the individual parts didn't add up to a bigger picture I was hoping to get. It left me feeling like I've read a draft of something that could be a masterpiece. Probably that's why I had such a strong feeling of being let down and disappointed - in its essence, this is a fantastic book. Agualusa is definitely a strong and imaginative writer who knows how to work with plot and language which is why seeing his talent but not feeling it made me sad.
In itself, the writing in A General Theory of Oblivion is very good - evocative and rich. Agualusa brings his characters to life, but I'm afraid those are short lives that sank into oblivion quite quickly for me after I finished the book. I felt the short and straightforward storytelling simply sticking to providing a sequence of events did not do them justice. The narrative glides quickly between several storylines, each chapter is the story of a new character, all of which are interconnected. It was this quick jumping from one story to the next in short chapters that stick to describing events more than to world, character or atmosphere building that didn't work for me. As I was reading I couldn't help losing interest because I felt like I am reading an author's plan for a novel, the detailed plot description in which they lay out what will happen in each chapter and how all the plotlines will connect, rather than the actual completed story. I felt it lacked something - more substance, or connection, or language.
While all storylines are beautifully rounded and each separate one gets full connection and closure, the individual parts didn't add up to a bigger picture I was hoping to get. It left me feeling like I've read a draft of something that could be a masterpiece. Probably that's why I had such a strong feeling of being let down and disappointed - in its essence, this is a fantastic book. Agualusa is definitely a strong and imaginative writer who knows how to work with plot and language which is why seeing his talent but not feeling it made me sad.
jmbz38's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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? No
2.75
mariana_cscs's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
radiogaze's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readinglines's review against another edition
3.0
É assustador pensar que a história de Ludo é inspirada em factos verídicos! Custa acreditar.
Um livro um pouco confuso devido à maneira como está dividido e às diversas personagens que nos são apresentadas. Certamente não ajudou o facto de ter feito tantas pausas. Ainda assim, gostei principalmente da história de Ludo e ainda mais quando somos introduzidos ao Sabalu.
O capítulo em que descobrimos como aconteceu a violação deixou-me enojada. Não consigo entender como foi possível o pai bater-lhe quando ela já estava a sofrer tanto.
As pequenas menções a Aveiro encheram o meu coração.
“A maldade também precisa descansar.”
“As pessoas não veem nas nuvens o desenho que elas têm, que não é nenhum, ou que são todos, pois a cada momento se altera. Veem aquilo por que o seu coração anseia.”
“Discursos não alimentam.”
“Compreendi ao longo dos últimos anos que, para acreditar em Deus, é forçoso confiar na humanidade. Não existe Deus sem humanidade.”
“Morremos sempre de desânimo, ou seja, quando nos falha a alma – então morremos.”
Um livro um pouco confuso devido à maneira como está dividido e às diversas personagens que nos são apresentadas. Certamente não ajudou o facto de ter feito tantas pausas. Ainda assim, gostei principalmente da história de Ludo e ainda mais quando somos introduzidos ao Sabalu.
O capítulo em que descobrimos como aconteceu a violação deixou-me enojada. Não consigo entender como foi possível o pai bater-lhe quando ela já estava a sofrer tanto.
As pequenas menções a Aveiro encheram o meu coração.
“A maldade também precisa descansar.”
“As pessoas não veem nas nuvens o desenho que elas têm, que não é nenhum, ou que são todos, pois a cada momento se altera. Veem aquilo por que o seu coração anseia.”
“Discursos não alimentam.”
“Compreendi ao longo dos últimos anos que, para acreditar em Deus, é forçoso confiar na humanidade. Não existe Deus sem humanidade.”
“Morremos sempre de desânimo, ou seja, quando nos falha a alma – então morremos.”
7anooch's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is a book that should be read in a couple of sittings. There are too many characters, though they are all interconnected, I kind of forgot who each one is by the time I picked the book up again. That said, this book is wonderful. Thoroughly recommended. Extra points for being from/about a place you seldom read about. Equal parts of history, and heartfelt story, I just wish I read this book over a couple of days instead of a week.
lozzage's review against another edition
2.0
I was highly confused during the majority of this book, probably as a result of my own naivety to the topic. however, the book was sufficiently ghostly to give goosebumps, and had a sweet ending.
vitsa's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure if books of this kind have a particular name, but I have come across a few written in this style and generally find them very enjoyable. This is the kind of book that gives you pieces of stories that slowly merge together until finally converging to form a coherent picture.
I enjoyed the process and all the crazy coincidences being developed and revealed from different sides. I did feel a little lost at times however. This is quite a short book and I feel like it could have done with a tiny bit more development of characters. There was quite a broad cast and even at the very end I was just about keeping them straight in my head.
I also feel that my absolute and utter lack of knowledge of Angolan history made me lose out on an important dimension to this book, and again while the novel more or less shapes out the events of the revolution and aftermath I would have very much appreciated a bit more detail and hand-holing for the uninitiated.
Overall, enjoyable read, but would have liked a bit more.
I enjoyed the process and all the crazy coincidences being developed and revealed from different sides. I did feel a little lost at times however. This is quite a short book and I feel like it could have done with a tiny bit more development of characters. There was quite a broad cast and even at the very end I was just about keeping them straight in my head.
I also feel that my absolute and utter lack of knowledge of Angolan history made me lose out on an important dimension to this book, and again while the novel more or less shapes out the events of the revolution and aftermath I would have very much appreciated a bit more detail and hand-holing for the uninitiated.
Overall, enjoyable read, but would have liked a bit more.
marianapemartins's review against another edition
4.0
"se, dormindo, sonhamos dormir, podemos, despertos, acordar dentro de uma realidade mais lúcida?"