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claireclimbstrees's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This novel is beautifully written and translated. Its form leaves dialogue to bleed into thoughts and actions, while the sections bleed between present and recent past and hinted at futures all while still maintaining a general linearity. The grim second half nearly lost me, and I have questions around the ethics of the depiction of native life at the end of the novel, yet it's conclusion paints such an achingly picturesque life that is tragically shadowed by impending military conquest that I can't help but love it. It is unlike most anything else I have ever read.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Genocide, and Homophobia
daisydoolie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
danidamico's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Muchas veces, este tipo de reescrituras de textos clásicos permiten desarrollar y expandir aspectos que en el material original estaban poco desarrollados o directamente ausentes. Por ejemplo, en este caso, la autora le da un nombre propio a la protagonista (Josefina), que sólo aparecía como la china de Fierro en el poema. Cabezón Cámara le da todo a Josefina, le abre las puertas al mundo: a viajar, a conocer nuevos paisajes y lenguajes (inglés y guaraní), a descubrir y explorar su sexualidad. A no ser "la esposa de" en la historia de otro, sino encaminarse en su propia aventura.
La novela me pareció muy inventiva e interesante, y como experimento literario me parece fascinante. De todos modos, no me gustó tanto como a otros. No sé si fue el hype, el marketing o qué, pero creo que mis expectativas fueron demasiado altas y esperaba algo más. Un problema que tuve fue que la escritura me resultó repetitiva, como que se movía en círculos y reiteraba cosas que ya habían sido transmitidas. También creo que hubiera sido genial que la narradora relatara en presente en vez de pasado, como para que el lector fuera descubriendo todo junto con ella, momento a momento, acompañando esos ojos que lo ven todo por primera vez en vivo y en directo.
Recomiendo que si lo van a leer, lo lean junto con el Martín Fierro, creo que es la mejor manera de sacarle provecho a ambos libros y adentrarse en la historia.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
umbellule's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Sexual violence
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Slavery, and Murder
There is a sexual relationship between a woman who seems about 20, and another whose age is not specified beyond being definitely 14+. A few animals are killed for food. Stories of murder, incest and rape are mostly told by other characters about off-screen events.