megea's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time focusing on this novel. Maybe it was timing. I started reading it while I was in the last throes of my Ph.D. Or maybe it's just a difficult book. It seemed like there was a new character introduced about every five pages, most of whom were named either João or Antônio. Consequently, because the same action was described as it affected several different characters, the narration was not so much linear as hopscotchy. All of which made it hard to keep exactly what was going on straight. About a quarter of the way in I turned in my dissertation, Vargas Llosa more or less settled on a final cast of characters (though a few more were picked up along the way, just not at such a rapid rate as before), and the novel gained momentum. But still, I'm not sure if it was all worth it...
orlion's review against another edition
5.0
Whew! What a ride. I should qualify that: it is not a 'thriller' sort of ride, though there is some suspense. It is a very literary sort of ride, where the human condition and soul are examined clearly with the rose-tinted glasses shattered on the ground. As a result, this is the most brutal, honest book that I have read to date. It is also, at least according to the brief experience I've had in a Hispanic country, accurate in its portrayal of noble and peasant classes; of ideologies with the type of people that follow and fight for them; of the stubborn persistence of humanity to preserve life even in the most insufferable conditions.
The War of the End of the World is about the Canudos War in Brazil at the end of the 19th century. The Brazilian monarchy had just been overthrown and replaced with the Republic. During this politically unstable time, Bahia ( a northern state of Brazil) has just been decimated by famine, plagues, and roving bands of merciless outlaws. Into this apocalyptic state wanders the enigmatic and charismatic Counselor, a wondering religious teacher around which gather the poor, the prosecuted, and the criminal seeking salvation. When the Republic tries to raise taxes and institute civil marriage in all its districts, the Counselor denounces the Republic as the Anti-Christ and convinces his followers to renounce money, civil marriage, and the metric system as devices of the Dog (Satan) and his Protestant/Freemason followers. They establish themselves in a remote town of Canudos where they establish their own peaceful society, and where the Republic will send armies to squash the rebellion.
Any familiar with these historic events will realize that Llosa's book is not going to be a pretty read. For those who know nothing of these events (the vast majority of English readers, I imagine) I shall list: this book is full of violence, war atrocities, human suffering caused by natural and man-made situations, famine, torture, rape, bombardments, and so forth. If you, as a reader, can not tolerate any or all of this list, it is recommended that you pick another book. I hear that Mario Vargas Llosa's Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter is a much more lighthearted read. Then again, I feel that for those of us who are more fortunate to not be born in terrible situations such as these, it is our duty to seek out the best written accounts on the subject so that we know of these situations and understand how the world behaves better.
As for the writing style, Llosa uses very interesting techniques. The book is divided into four sections. Each depicts a specific time period of the conflict. Within each section, however, Llosa does not follow a strictly chronological portrayal of events. He jumps around in time depending on the structure of the section (each one has a different structure). I was able to follow events easily, but this could prove difficult to less experienced readers. There is also a lot of characters. A lot of information. A lot of plot, where one line twenty, fifty, four hundred pages before is key to the current passage you are reading. As a result, this book requires your attention and would not make a good 'fluff read' (in case you still think it could be after I've talked about the subject matter).
Overall, it is a very worthwhile read. Nowhere else have I seen a war between ideologies portrayed as well and as humanly as in these pages. Each character, whether they fight for Canudos or for the Republic is portrayed as a separate human being. An entity with good qualities and bad qualities, one that may help some around them and hurt others. In particular, I think of General Moira Cesar nicknamed Throat-slitter. A general who brutally puts down any rebellion against the Republic, often causing prisoners to be killed like an animal about to be butchered (even though he has to know that the peasants believe this will automatically consign their souls to hell). And yet, he does all this because of his love for the Brazilian people. Often times, running across poor, emaciated women and children on his way to Canudos he will order that rations be provided for them. It is made quite clear that he does all that he does and supports the Republic because he feels it is the best way to succor the downtrodden.
The subject matter and the masterful writing makes this book a tough read. But it is a worthwhile read... perhaps one of the best gifts to Western literature.
The War of the End of the World is about the Canudos War in Brazil at the end of the 19th century. The Brazilian monarchy had just been overthrown and replaced with the Republic. During this politically unstable time, Bahia ( a northern state of Brazil) has just been decimated by famine, plagues, and roving bands of merciless outlaws. Into this apocalyptic state wanders the enigmatic and charismatic Counselor, a wondering religious teacher around which gather the poor, the prosecuted, and the criminal seeking salvation. When the Republic tries to raise taxes and institute civil marriage in all its districts, the Counselor denounces the Republic as the Anti-Christ and convinces his followers to renounce money, civil marriage, and the metric system as devices of the Dog (Satan) and his Protestant/Freemason followers. They establish themselves in a remote town of Canudos where they establish their own peaceful society, and where the Republic will send armies to squash the rebellion.
Any familiar with these historic events will realize that Llosa's book is not going to be a pretty read. For those who know nothing of these events (the vast majority of English readers, I imagine) I shall list: this book is full of violence, war atrocities, human suffering caused by natural and man-made situations, famine, torture, rape, bombardments, and so forth. If you, as a reader, can not tolerate any or all of this list, it is recommended that you pick another book. I hear that Mario Vargas Llosa's Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter is a much more lighthearted read. Then again, I feel that for those of us who are more fortunate to not be born in terrible situations such as these, it is our duty to seek out the best written accounts on the subject so that we know of these situations and understand how the world behaves better.
As for the writing style, Llosa uses very interesting techniques. The book is divided into four sections. Each depicts a specific time period of the conflict. Within each section, however, Llosa does not follow a strictly chronological portrayal of events. He jumps around in time depending on the structure of the section (each one has a different structure). I was able to follow events easily, but this could prove difficult to less experienced readers. There is also a lot of characters. A lot of information. A lot of plot, where one line twenty, fifty, four hundred pages before is key to the current passage you are reading. As a result, this book requires your attention and would not make a good 'fluff read' (in case you still think it could be after I've talked about the subject matter).
Overall, it is a very worthwhile read. Nowhere else have I seen a war between ideologies portrayed as well and as humanly as in these pages. Each character, whether they fight for Canudos or for the Republic is portrayed as a separate human being. An entity with good qualities and bad qualities, one that may help some around them and hurt others. In particular, I think of General Moira Cesar nicknamed Throat-slitter. A general who brutally puts down any rebellion against the Republic, often causing prisoners to be killed like an animal about to be butchered (even though he has to know that the peasants believe this will automatically consign their souls to hell). And yet, he does all this because of his love for the Brazilian people. Often times, running across poor, emaciated women and children on his way to Canudos he will order that rations be provided for them. It is made quite clear that he does all that he does and supports the Republic because he feels it is the best way to succor the downtrodden.
The subject matter and the masterful writing makes this book a tough read. But it is a worthwhile read... perhaps one of the best gifts to Western literature.
msgtdameron's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Llosa has written a GREAT novel. Full of sound, fury, love, heroism, lust, compassion, and a host of other emotions and feelings. I mourned the loss of some characters and was excited that some got their throats slit. Some survive others die. Some are heroic on both sides and some are real scumbags on both sides. All in all this is a great read. I definitely see why it won a Nobel Prize for lit.
flexluthor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one was a tough read, both because there are some horrific things happening throughout the book and also because it was slow paced. For a book about a war it sure took a long time to get some action. Perhaps I'm not as well educated on the gospels as some other readers, but despite having heard this described as a retelling of the Jesus story I did not see it.
I think the framing of the baron and the journalist discussing the fate of Canudos is interesting, and when the book starts to hop perspectives 3-4 times per chapter it became far more engaging for me. Overall I did enjoy it despite being somewhat of a slog, and Vargas Llosa writes beautifully about the country and landscapes of Brazil. I think there are a couple dozen well developed characters, and the tragedy of Canudos is gripping throughout.
I think the framing of the baron and the journalist discussing the fate of Canudos is interesting, and when the book starts to hop perspectives 3-4 times per chapter it became far more engaging for me. Overall I did enjoy it despite being somewhat of a slog, and Vargas Llosa writes beautifully about the country and landscapes of Brazil. I think there are a couple dozen well developed characters, and the tragedy of Canudos is gripping throughout.
claudiaferreira's review against another edition
5.0
4,5* na verdade... a certa altura a narrativa perde um pouco o folego... mas é muito bom... a ironia, a manipulação, a política...
bruntosaur's review against another edition
Gave up at 25% as really wasn't enjoying any aspect of it. I think when the most principled character rapes a woman and tries to frame it as liberating her from the chains of monogamy and convention it was the nail in the coffin. I thought I'd enjoy it as I love GGM but now realise the comparisons are completely irrelevant.
elisala's review
4.0
Un livre magnifique, un récit riche: par ses personnages, par son écriture, par le déroulement de l'histoire. Un récit long, aussi, mais je n'y ai pas vu de longueur, au contraire.
Même si on connaît presque dès le début le dénouement, on est pris dans le récit, et on se prend à rêver.
Les personnages sont attachants, même les 'pires', mais qui sont les pires, finalement?
Ma note est un peu dans n'importe quel sens, difficile d'exprimer comme ça en quelques lignes ce que ce 'pavé', cette véritable saga peut m'inspirer, mais dans une première approche: j'aime!
Un peu de l'histoire quand même, car c'est d'histoire qu'il s'agit: une histoire vraie, au Brésil au XIXème, une guerre qui n'en est pas une, opposant un groupe d'illuminés(?) de pacifistes(?) de croyants, en tout cas, dont la foi pourrait presque déplacer des montagnes, et des militaires, ayant définitivement le mauvais rôle dans ce livre. Je n'ose donc pas donner le nom de guerre à cet évènement, les forces sont trop disproportionnées, c'est bien plutôt une bataille de répression... difficile cependant de prendre fait et cause pour le groupe "réprimé", dont je ne partage pas les opinions, et pourtant, leur bataille est belle, leur foi est impressionnante... j'ai encore du mal à croire que cette guerre a réellement eu lieu: c'est trop fort trop riche pour être vrai ; mais parallèlement, j'ai aussi du mal à penser que toute cette histoire sort de l'imagination d'un seul être: c'est trop complet, trop riche pour cela... trop beau peut-être aussi...
Même si on connaît presque dès le début le dénouement, on est pris dans le récit, et on se prend à rêver.
Les personnages sont attachants, même les 'pires', mais qui sont les pires, finalement?
Ma note est un peu dans n'importe quel sens, difficile d'exprimer comme ça en quelques lignes ce que ce 'pavé', cette véritable saga peut m'inspirer, mais dans une première approche: j'aime!
Un peu de l'histoire quand même, car c'est d'histoire qu'il s'agit: une histoire vraie, au Brésil au XIXème, une guerre qui n'en est pas une, opposant un groupe d'illuminés(?) de pacifistes(?) de croyants, en tout cas, dont la foi pourrait presque déplacer des montagnes, et des militaires, ayant définitivement le mauvais rôle dans ce livre. Je n'ose donc pas donner le nom de guerre à cet évènement, les forces sont trop disproportionnées, c'est bien plutôt une bataille de répression... difficile cependant de prendre fait et cause pour le groupe "réprimé", dont je ne partage pas les opinions, et pourtant, leur bataille est belle, leur foi est impressionnante... j'ai encore du mal à croire que cette guerre a réellement eu lieu: c'est trop fort trop riche pour être vrai ; mais parallèlement, j'ai aussi du mal à penser que toute cette histoire sort de l'imagination d'un seul être: c'est trop complet, trop riche pour cela... trop beau peut-être aussi...
pianoman543's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0