literarydecolonisation's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
susannaobrien's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really witty, dry and well observed throughout, had many laugh out loud moments. It painted a vivid picture of a sub-section of creative society in Santiago, Chile and had some interesting exploration of what it means to be family.
But I found the listing of Chilean poets and their characters a bit indulgent and overworked, and I think the text assumes more knowledge of Chilean history than I had, so I'm pretty sure some interesting discussions went over my head. Pacing was also sometimes a touch off for me.
But I found the listing of Chilean poets and their characters a bit indulgent and overworked, and I think the text assumes more knowledge of Chilean history than I had, so I'm pretty sure some interesting discussions went over my head. Pacing was also sometimes a touch off for me.
rhysdri's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
summer_reads1's review
4.0
Set in Santiago, Chile at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, Chilean Poet centers around an aspiring poet named Gonzalo. Gonzalo finds himself reunited with Carla his teenage sweetheart 9 years after the couple first broke up. But now Carla is a mother to a young son named Vincente and soon the trio forms a sort of makeshift family. Although their separate ambitions and fate eventually tear the couple apart, and Gonzalo leaves for New York City, Vincente inherits his stepfather’s passion for poetry.
I found myself pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I have read several rave reviews in literary journals about Chilean Poet but I had no idea how superb it really was until I started reading it for myself. I love being transported to a different place through the eyes of an author and in Chilean Poet, I enjoyed being transported to Santiago. In Chilean Poet, Zambra romanticizes and creates a nostalgia in the simple everyday moments. This book is sentimental, heartwarming, poignant, and very profound. Chilean Poet begs to question what does constitute a family?
Overall I recommend Chilean Poet to literary lovers as well as poetry lovers. Chilean Poet includes mentions of some of the best-loved classic poets and authors like Emily Dickenson, Virginia Woolf, Raymond Carver, Eric Rohmer, and many more so poetry lovers will appreciate this one too. I am so happy to have discovered Alejandro Zambra and I can't wait to read more of his translated works.
Many thanks to Viking Books for the gifted copy!
I found myself pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I have read several rave reviews in literary journals about Chilean Poet but I had no idea how superb it really was until I started reading it for myself. I love being transported to a different place through the eyes of an author and in Chilean Poet, I enjoyed being transported to Santiago. In Chilean Poet, Zambra romanticizes and creates a nostalgia in the simple everyday moments. This book is sentimental, heartwarming, poignant, and very profound. Chilean Poet begs to question what does constitute a family?
Overall I recommend Chilean Poet to literary lovers as well as poetry lovers. Chilean Poet includes mentions of some of the best-loved classic poets and authors like Emily Dickenson, Virginia Woolf, Raymond Carver, Eric Rohmer, and many more so poetry lovers will appreciate this one too. I am so happy to have discovered Alejandro Zambra and I can't wait to read more of his translated works.
Many thanks to Viking Books for the gifted copy!
thelighteregg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mulanwalibros's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
I loved this book, not so much pru’s part.
Read in translation
Read in translation
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i enjoyed the voice of the narration that travelled through various characters. each voice was unique but attached together. i was confused at times wondering what the author was trying to convey in the story, but he did it so stunningly well that i had to give it five stars. a really insightful and also direct story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Stalking, Violence, and Miscarriage
alfred0hdz's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0