ruthnessly's review against another edition
2.0
Several of these passages were really lovely. Some of this was really great writing. I've wanted to read some Vasquez for a while and I found this scrolling through my kindle. I'm glad I finally did something I've vaguely thought about for a while!
That said, I really didn't take to this book that well -- like I said, some of the writing is lovely. I feel like it's a very rich setting. This isn't very long, but it is a good set up and it feels almost luxurious. There's a depth to the writing and a certainty which can summon years of work, of a life, pretty easily. The actual topic of this book I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT and wasn't aware of until after halfway through. It is, btw, sexual assault. It's also told from a male's POV, which was a little on the nose for me considering recent news items but hey. I guess I unwittingly picked something that could be a little timely.
I liked some of this much more than others. I liked the build up. I liked the setting. Some of the less focused paragraphs were gorgeous, when the words spread out from this particular setting and these particular characters to a more macro sense of the world. That was great! There were a number of odd scenes I didn't like or didn't care for. I don't really want to read much about. I feel a bit strange about this book. There's a persistent sense of concern with memory, as well as reputation -- I think the importance of it and the elusive nature of it is central to this book. But...I just felt cold. The disconnect was too broad for me. I wish I could figure out why, but I'm struggling with it! Nonetheless, I think this was fine, but not that enjoyable.
That said, I really didn't take to this book that well -- like I said, some of the writing is lovely. I feel like it's a very rich setting. This isn't very long, but it is a good set up and it feels almost luxurious. There's a depth to the writing and a certainty which can summon years of work, of a life, pretty easily. The actual topic of this book I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT and wasn't aware of until after halfway through. It is, btw, sexual assault. It's also told from a male's POV, which was a little on the nose for me considering recent news items but hey. I guess I unwittingly picked something that could be a little timely.
I liked some of this much more than others. I liked the build up. I liked the setting. Some of the less focused paragraphs were gorgeous, when the words spread out from this particular setting and these particular characters to a more macro sense of the world. That was great! There were a number of odd scenes I didn't like or didn't care for. I don't really want to read much about. I feel a bit strange about this book. There's a persistent sense of concern with memory, as well as reputation -- I think the importance of it and the elusive nature of it is central to this book. But...I just felt cold. The disconnect was too broad for me. I wish I could figure out why, but I'm struggling with it! Nonetheless, I think this was fine, but not that enjoyable.
stacialithub's review
4.0
Vásquez writes beautifully and this novel examines the moral quandaries of a well-established and influential political cartoonist. He has the power to make or break others, solely through pen and paper. He has used and enjoyed his power, but after decades in the business, an old incident comes to the forefront of the story, making him question his power, his assumptions, and the ultimate ramifications of his art. Slightly melancholic and meditative examination of media, manipulation, memory, and messages.
lizmart88's review against another edition
4.0
A modern fable about memory, reputation, and the truth of perception vs reality.
The central questions: if no one knows what happened, does it matter?
Two stories on this connect. First, the protagonist is an aging cartoonist in Colombia who receives a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his dedication to critiquing corruption and politics. Second, a young woman who attends the award ceremony and awakens a long repressed memory she isn't sure is real.
The two stories intertwine and bring up issues of truth, corruption, and our responsibility to memory and action.
In a world of social media, this is an excellent reminder of how we can use our platforms.
The central questions: if no one knows what happened, does it matter?
Two stories on this connect. First, the protagonist is an aging cartoonist in Colombia who receives a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his dedication to critiquing corruption and politics. Second, a young woman who attends the award ceremony and awakens a long repressed memory she isn't sure is real.
The two stories intertwine and bring up issues of truth, corruption, and our responsibility to memory and action.
In a world of social media, this is an excellent reminder of how we can use our platforms.
justineharvey's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jamesdrt's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Rape
angscafidi's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
marierossi's review against another edition
3.0
A very strange read...it definitely didn't end up where I thought it would. However, it was a neat look into the life of a political cartoonist, even if it did end up kind of preachy *ahem*. And I thought the translation was nicely done, not that I have a lot of experience with contemporary foreign translations.
karriem's review against another edition
4.0
Parts of this book were engrossing and poetic, other parts necessary story. I wonder if all of it is poetic in Spanish, I wish I could read in Spanish. His best so far, can't wait to see what comes next.
irma_sincera's review
4.0
Tai mano trečioji autoriaus knyga ir aš jau žinau, kur jis pasiėmęs mane už rankos nuves. Pradžioje priešiniesi, nes einama labai lėtai žmonių pilnomis Bogotos gatvėmis, bet galiausiai viskas aplinkui išnyksta ir girdi tik autoriaus balsą. O jis pasakoja dar vieną istoriją apie asmenybę, kuri iki šiol tau buvo negirdėta, o pabaigus knygą atrodo, kad kartu nugyvenai su ja visą gyvenimą.
Šį kartą knygos centre dar viena Kolumbijos žymi figūra, itin gerbiamas, politinių karikatūrų autorius - Javier Mallarino. Jis vienu pieštuko brūkšniu, viena skambia eilute, gali sugriauti kitų žmonių reputaciją, bet kaip jis užsitarnavo savąją? Vienas iš praeities pažįstamas veidas staiga pasirodo jo gyvenime ir jam tenka atsistoti į akistatą su savimi, pasinerti į prisiminimus ir sau pripažinti, kieno sąskaita pastatyta jo paites karjera.
Minimalus siužetas, tačiau puikiai perteikta žodžio galia ir reputacijos trapumo idėja. Knyga nerealiai tinka ir šiems laikams, nes tas pats galioja ir šiuolaikinėse medijose. Žmonės neįvertina, kaip piktas komentaras, pašaipa, gali paveikti tiek gavėją tiek atsisukti atgal su kaupu. Ar karikatūra Bogotos laikraštyje ar instagram įrašas, visi mūsų žodžiai ir veiksmai turi pasekmes, bet ne apie visas sužinome, arba sužinome per vėlai.
Tikrai galima pradėti pažintį su autoriumi nuo šios knygos. O jei ieškot kažko lietuvių kalba - Taip skamba krintantys, taip pat puikiai susumuoja Vásquez stilių. Aš ketinu ir toliau skaityti jo katalogą.
Šį kartą knygos centre dar viena Kolumbijos žymi figūra, itin gerbiamas, politinių karikatūrų autorius - Javier Mallarino. Jis vienu pieštuko brūkšniu, viena skambia eilute, gali sugriauti kitų žmonių reputaciją, bet kaip jis užsitarnavo savąją? Vienas iš praeities pažįstamas veidas staiga pasirodo jo gyvenime ir jam tenka atsistoti į akistatą su savimi, pasinerti į prisiminimus ir sau pripažinti, kieno sąskaita pastatyta jo paites karjera.
Minimalus siužetas, tačiau puikiai perteikta žodžio galia ir reputacijos trapumo idėja. Knyga nerealiai tinka ir šiems laikams, nes tas pats galioja ir šiuolaikinėse medijose. Žmonės neįvertina, kaip piktas komentaras, pašaipa, gali paveikti tiek gavėją tiek atsisukti atgal su kaupu. Ar karikatūra Bogotos laikraštyje ar instagram įrašas, visi mūsų žodžiai ir veiksmai turi pasekmes, bet ne apie visas sužinome, arba sužinome per vėlai.
Tikrai galima pradėti pažintį su autoriumi nuo šios knygos. O jei ieškot kažko lietuvių kalba - Taip skamba krintantys, taip pat puikiai susumuoja Vásquez stilių. Aš ketinu ir toliau skaityti jo katalogą.
elestanteliterario's review against another edition
4.0
Mira el video y reseña completa en:
http://elestanteliterario.com/2018/01/25/las-reputaciones-juan-gabriel-vasquez-el-estate-literario/
A pesar de su brevedad, el libro trata temas muy profundos y en su corta extensión se interna por la mente de los personajes de una manera asombrosa. Leer a Juan Gabriel Vásquez es fácil, en el sentido en que su prosa es desenvuelta y natural, extremadamente parecida a su hablar, donde muletillas como “una suerte de” se encuentran detrás de cada página.
No puedo decir más aparte de que corran a prestar o comprar este libro corto y certero, una historia envolvente que te invita a devorarla en uno o dos días como mucho.
Con todo, a este libro le daría un sólido 4.5 de 5, porque la última parte, a pesar de que cumple bien su función de cierre, está llena de datos huérfanos que parecieran forzar la trama y hasta sobrar en un libro que de por sí, por su extensión, tiene lo justo.
http://elestanteliterario.com/2018/01/25/las-reputaciones-juan-gabriel-vasquez-el-estate-literario/
A pesar de su brevedad, el libro trata temas muy profundos y en su corta extensión se interna por la mente de los personajes de una manera asombrosa. Leer a Juan Gabriel Vásquez es fácil, en el sentido en que su prosa es desenvuelta y natural, extremadamente parecida a su hablar, donde muletillas como “una suerte de” se encuentran detrás de cada página.
No puedo decir más aparte de que corran a prestar o comprar este libro corto y certero, una historia envolvente que te invita a devorarla en uno o dos días como mucho.
Con todo, a este libro le daría un sólido 4.5 de 5, porque la última parte, a pesar de que cumple bien su función de cierre, está llena de datos huérfanos que parecieran forzar la trama y hasta sobrar en un libro que de por sí, por su extensión, tiene lo justo.