Reviews

The Border by Don Winslow

mjastevens's review against another edition

dark tense medium-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

erickibler4's review against another edition

5.0

Another home run from Winslow and the final book in the Power of the Dog trilogy.

lovemisplaced's review against another edition

Exceptional. A good end to the trilogy.

nikla88's review against another edition

5.0

«Ma la corruzione non riguarda solo il denaro, va piú in profondità. Dobbiamo porci una domanda: che tipo di corruzione esiste qui, nella nostra anima nazionale collettiva, che ci rende i piú grandi consumatori al mondo di droghe illegali, a un tasso che eccede di cinque volte il numero totale della popolazione? Possiamo dire che le radici dell’epidemia di eroina si trovano sul suolo messicano, ma gli oppiacei sono sempre una risposta al dolore. Qual è il dolore di cui soffre la società americana, che ci spinge a cercare droghe in grado di attenuarlo?
«È la povertà? L’ingiustizia? L’isolamento? «Non ho la risposta, ma so che dobbiamo farci la vera domanda. «Perché?


L'ultimo capitolo della saga con protagonista Art Keller è un capolavoro di finzione verso realtà. La linea tra le due è difficile da vedere, molti capitoli sono difficili da leggere, difficile da comprendere quanto malata sia la società americana e quanto le persone possano essere spietate.
Questi tre libri hanno riassunto tutta la storia della droga americana, prima la cocaina dalla Colombia, poi il trampolino tramite il Messico e le ipocrisie della classe politica Americana.
Lascia il lettore con una sensazione triste, tutto cambia e tutto resta come prima. Cambiano i personaggi, cambiano i luoghi ma la protagonista resta sempre la droga. Anche Winslow, tramite il suo personaggio, Art Keller, ipotizza che la legalizzazione sia l'unica via. Saviano al termine del suo Zero Zero Zero condivideva la stessa opinione.

ghostwriter27's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mcasiraghi's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

brig_berthold's review against another edition

4.0

Amazing. Controversial, important, no-holds-barred brutal.

iancarpenter's review against another edition

4.0

A 3.5 for me. It's almost as well written as The Cartel and really, only lacks the masterful structure and focus of that book. But, at some point, many hundreds of pages in to this 700 pager, realizing I was past 1500 pages of Winslow's writing on this topic (and will likely read the 500 or more pages of books I haven't yet gotten to) I started to question when was enough, certain it was too much. And like the two countries and the obsessed protagonist we watch age through it all, the rise and falls of fiefdoms and their leaders is repetitive in its pain, selfishness, senselessness and brutality. You walk away exhausted and repulsed by the conflict and guilty within it. The coda and final speech of the protagonist are probably as good as they could be, but they ultimately disappoint you because what could Keller possibly say that writer Winslow hasn't already? As with The Cartel, the takeaway is the guilt of the U.S. (and I'm sure Canada) in the conflict and that nothing will change until the pain of the users is tackled in a way that diminishes the voracious need for drugs north of the border with Mexico.

trolle69's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

mattiek's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75