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mjbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
viaa7's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
caladium's review against another edition
5.0
Muy cortito pero muy bueno. Bien escrito, buen ritmo, una prosa ��gil y una historia digna de contar. Se merece todo el reconocimiento que tiene.
kokoread's review against another edition
4.25
I read this in the middle of exam season thinking I'd be in for something light and casual given how short it was, and I couldn't have been any more mistaken.
The story follows that of our unnamed main character who flees to Morel's island - even after getting told of the deadly disease that seems to afflict its visitors. While he believes the island to be uninhabited, imagine his bewilderment when a group of people appear out of the blue and start reclaiming the place, completely disregarding him, as if he simply did not exist to them. He even finds himself bewitched by one of these uninvited guests, Faustine, who he grows an unhealthy obsession for.
Through this book, Casares explores an innovative take on virtual immortality (given how it is almost achieved, yet not quite there due to these "disjointed presences" having no free will or actual consciousness) and love (that is unrequited in both cases). I would also name the theme of parasocial relationships as one addressed, given MC's complete devotion to an unknowing Faustine.
I will say I DID have to push through reading this because it somewhat felt less and less immersive when MC had yet to find out that the people he was seeing were recorded, when I had long grasped that much (I truly belong to the 21st century)
The story follows that of our unnamed main character who flees to Morel's island - even after getting told of the deadly disease that seems to afflict its visitors. While he believes the island to be uninhabited, imagine his bewilderment when a group of people appear out of the blue and start reclaiming the place, completely disregarding him, as if he simply did not exist to them. He even finds himself bewitched by one of these uninvited guests, Faustine, who he grows an unhealthy obsession for.
Through this book, Casares explores an innovative take on virtual immortality (given how it is almost achieved, yet not quite there due to these "disjointed presences" having no free will or actual consciousness) and love (that is unrequited in both cases). I would also name the theme of parasocial relationships as one addressed, given MC's complete devotion to an unknowing Faustine.
I will say I DID have to push through reading this because it somewhat felt less and less immersive when MC had yet to find out that the people he was seeing were recorded, when I had long grasped that much (I truly belong to the 21st century)
zeyc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
astrofeldy's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A fantastic book that challenges our relationship with reality, art, memory, and time. Keeps you guessing all the way through, and will stay with you long after it’s short pages are done. An excellent read.
poinsettiarain's review against another edition
2.0
I’ll probably give this another try sometime but I just couldn’t find a way to enjoy this.
The concept was interesting and the story was well written (or translated at least) but just not my thing, I guess.
The concept was interesting and the story was well written (or translated at least) but just not my thing, I guess.
milenapsychologist's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
levisainz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0