kilkilshah's review against another edition
4.0
First book I read from Vargas Llosa. Won't be my last. Overall relatively quick read and pretty interesting story. Well-developed plot and characters.
bese199's review against another edition
2.0
After about 75 pages, I just couldn't finish this. Something about the translation, I think, put me off. I sensed the humor in the characters but couldn't find it. I'm sure that it's just me because everyone else gave it a great review.
eusoubuepeixe's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Absolutely LOVED the writing in this book. Specially the way the author combined the past and the present. Chef's kiss. The story isn't to my liking at all, but it was an extremely enjoyable read. Liked it and recommend it.
thelauramay's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will definitely be reading more by this author.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
5.0
A 2015 staff favorite, this dark comedy is highly recommended by Jo. Read her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1215462615
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sdiscreet%20hero%20vargas%20llosa__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sdiscreet%20hero%20vargas%20llosa__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
kvelpr's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
marinaalwaysshines's review
i’m not here to read about cheating and all the excuses why the cheater is still a good guy 🫣
stef369's review against another edition
4.0
Een hele mooie Vargas Llosa (zoals de meeste van zijn romans trouwens..). Dat exotische en barokke van Zuid-Amerika (je ruikt en je ziet het gewoon!) en ook de typische manier van vertellen, met lichte ironie maar met veel mildheid: het zijn allemaal ingrediënten voor een geslaagde roman van deze ongelofelijke meester-auteur. De situatie alleen al is best pittig: die twee "kleine" mannen die "grote" daden verrichten, elk op een 100 km afstand van elkaar in Peru.. en die elkaar dan nog ontmoeten naar het eind. Je zou er best een kleurige film van kunnen maken. Bijzonder geestig om te lezen. Briljant!
cronosmu's review against another edition
3.0
Luego de haber escrito obras fundamentales para la literatura en habla hispana y mundial, como Conversación en La Catedral, Vargas Llosa no tiene nada que probar. El héroe discreto es una novela en tono humorÃstico y que rebosa de nostalgia de su vieja prosa. Lituma nos recuerda los eventos de La casa verde, a Bonifacia, la escena en la que juega ruleta rusa, evoca a los Inconquistables y también nos menciona que ha deambulado por la geografÃa peruana que se descubre en la espectacular Lituma en los Andes y ¿Quién mató a Palomino Molero? Por otro lado, don Rigoberto, Lucrecia y Fonchito son la columna de uno de los dos principales relatos de esta novela.
Si estoy convencido de algo es que esta clase de libros en tono humorÃstico, un poco melodramáticos y hasta mundanos muestran una mucho mejor faceta que la del Vargas Llosa de obras densas y poco logradas como "El sueño del Celta" o "El paraÃso en la otra esquina". Este no es un tÃtulo fundamental, pero Varguitas no pretendÃa que lo fuera. Hizo bien en deshacerse de los idealistas y volver a las raÃces no solo del Perú sino de su narrativa.
Si estoy convencido de algo es que esta clase de libros en tono humorÃstico, un poco melodramáticos y hasta mundanos muestran una mucho mejor faceta que la del Vargas Llosa de obras densas y poco logradas como "El sueño del Celta" o "El paraÃso en la otra esquina". Este no es un tÃtulo fundamental, pero Varguitas no pretendÃa que lo fuera. Hizo bien en deshacerse de los idealistas y volver a las raÃces no solo del Perú sino de su narrativa.
feeona's review against another edition
3.0
The book is about a special kind of heroism - not the one where you go out, save others and get celebrated. It's about preserving your dignity even if it means losing everything else.
There are two story strings that are told in turns. First they evolve seperately, but end up connected to each other.
I liked the moral concept of the book and how much love and detail was put in the characters and their back-stories.
There are two story strings that are told in turns. First they evolve seperately, but end up connected to each other.
I liked the moral concept of the book and how much love and detail was put in the characters and their back-stories.