ernestoneto's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Pedophilia
andrestrujillo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
5.0
I read this back in 2003. Here is what I wrote in my journal at the time:
>>I just finished reading it. The book is a sequel to his previous The Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo, which based on my enjoyment of the one I just finished, I will most definitely try to find the previous book. The book was 262 pages long including an introduction by Hunter S. Thompson and afterword by Acosta's son. The book is set in 1960s Los Angeles during the height of the Chicano civil rights movement. The protagonist, Buffalo Zeta Brown, is a lawyer who at first seems to know little of the movement and wanted to write a story. He soon becomes involved with the movement, defending Chicanos in court as well as leading marches and protests. The pacing of the book is good; it was a fast and engaging read, written in first person point of view. It has humorous moments as well as moving moments. The little blurb on the back of the book calls Zeta a reluctant hero, and he was, but his strength is that when called upon, he did what had to be done, and in the process had a wild ride along the way. I strongly recommend this book.<<
>>I just finished reading it. The book is a sequel to his previous The Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo, which based on my enjoyment of the one I just finished, I will most definitely try to find the previous book. The book was 262 pages long including an introduction by Hunter S. Thompson and afterword by Acosta's son. The book is set in 1960s Los Angeles during the height of the Chicano civil rights movement. The protagonist, Buffalo Zeta Brown, is a lawyer who at first seems to know little of the movement and wanted to write a story. He soon becomes involved with the movement, defending Chicanos in court as well as leading marches and protests. The pacing of the book is good; it was a fast and engaging read, written in first person point of view. It has humorous moments as well as moving moments. The little blurb on the back of the book calls Zeta a reluctant hero, and he was, but his strength is that when called upon, he did what had to be done, and in the process had a wild ride along the way. I strongly recommend this book.<<
sammarsore's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
krayfish1's review against another edition
3.0
Not the ideal place to start reading about Chicano riots in LA in 1968-72, but interesting.
andrea2428's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book for my Mexican American Literature course in college and I'm still debating what to rate this book. I absolutely abhored the protagonist, who is either a fictionalized or realistic portrayal of the author himself. I'm just going to assume its fiction and that the overflowing misogyny in this book is meant as satire.
The novel takes place during the 1960s Chicano Movement as well as the Counter-Culture Revolution. Drugs, sex, and violence provide the characters an escape to their problems. As a way to avoid their plight and failure, the men use psychedelic drugs to enter a fantasy world where they can be happy and free. After being stomped around by the Americans, the Chicanos turn to their own women and conquer them in order to keep their masculinity and superiority intact. What the men fail to realize is that they need the support of the women in order for their movement to gain strength. Thier constant abuse towards them ultimately leads to their own downfall.
Despite being part of the movement, Oscar Acosta (A.K.A Hunter S. Thompson's best friend Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) looks down on his own race and objectifies almost every woman he comes across. He views himself as a revolutionary and believes women are only there to provide sustenance. This machismo ideology that encompassed the Chicano movement was perhaps the reason for its failure. The marginalization of women left the Chicanos divided and no movement can truly succeed when members of its own population are oppressed.
As much as I disliked this book because of its offensive vulgarity and misogyny, I have to admit that it was this novel, told from a male point-of-view, that really opened my eyes to the challenges women of color faced on two fronts. On one hand, the Americans deny them civil rights because of their race. On the other hand, their fellow Chicanos deny them a place in their own movement because of their gender.
The novel takes place during the 1960s Chicano Movement as well as the Counter-Culture Revolution. Drugs, sex, and violence provide the characters an escape to their problems. As a way to avoid their plight and failure, the men use psychedelic drugs to enter a fantasy world where they can be happy and free. After being stomped around by the Americans, the Chicanos turn to their own women and conquer them in order to keep their masculinity and superiority intact. What the men fail to realize is that they need the support of the women in order for their movement to gain strength. Thier constant abuse towards them ultimately leads to their own downfall.
Despite being part of the movement, Oscar Acosta (A.K.A Hunter S. Thompson's best friend Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) looks down on his own race and objectifies almost every woman he comes across. He views himself as a revolutionary and believes women are only there to provide sustenance. This machismo ideology that encompassed the Chicano movement was perhaps the reason for its failure. The marginalization of women left the Chicanos divided and no movement can truly succeed when members of its own population are oppressed.
As much as I disliked this book because of its offensive vulgarity and misogyny, I have to admit that it was this novel, told from a male point-of-view, that really opened my eyes to the challenges women of color faced on two fronts. On one hand, the Americans deny them civil rights because of their race. On the other hand, their fellow Chicanos deny them a place in their own movement because of their gender.
mariahchai's review against another edition
dark
informative
fast-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Racial slurs