128a's review against another edition
Really good. Shocking…well-woven storylines, though difficult at times to track names. Curious how the translation compares to the original version.
zairaurelia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
robynryle's review against another edition
3.0
This was slow, slow reading, but interesting window into the Trujillo era, or the end of the Trujillo era in the Dominican Republic. If you have a weak stomach for torture, skip a lot of the end. I can't say the writing is beautiful, which makes sense because it's been translated, but it is one of those stories that leaves you thinking afterwards about how even after the dictator's gone, the effects don't go away.
gracemessi's review against another edition
2.0
dnf @ chapter 18 - enjoyed but was getting too intense w sexual violence
elenatejeda's review against another edition
5.0
Muy buen libro, excelente prosa, libro pesado pero considero que esta tan bien elaborado que no existe problema alguno en terminarlo. No me gustan ciertos temas que se tocan en el libro por que son muy díficiles para mi ya que soy demasiado sensible a ellos, sin embargo en el libro pude abordarlos.
gajeam's review against another edition
3.0
Could have been rad historical fiction but too many unforced errors. Trujillo and the assassins’ storylines rule, but Urania’s is so whack that it almost torpedos the whole book.
sophie_may_42's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
lely12's review against another edition
4.0
Me costo un poco enganchar con el libro, pero cuando llegue a la mitad ya no pude parar. Que cruda es la historia de latinoamerica.
laviskrg's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best and most important books ever written, and my fourth book about the Dominican Republic. I have a huge adoration for this country's turbulent history, for its political misery and for its burning hot blood. Llosa writes like pure perfection, but I will admit that this book would have been even MORE obscenely perfect had it been read in Spanish, due to the numerous nicknames and phrases so typical for that language. Recommended fully!
electrozombie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75