mpchiz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Stunning writing, beautiful composition, sexy, engaging, informative
danidamico's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lectura para Narrativa Latinoamericana II
No es una novela que hubiese elegido por cuenta propia, pero me terminó gustando mucho. La escritura de Mayra Montero me pareció preciosa, descriptiva y compleja, pero sin caer en la densidad. Retrata con sensibilidad la tragedia y se construye sobre un impulso apocalíptico basado en el colapso ambiental y el colapso político-social. Explora también la ambición ciega de la racionalidad científica en nombre del descubrimiento y el progreso. El protagonista es un herpetólogo llamado Víctor y en clase surgió el paralelismo con Víctor Frankenstein. Hombres de ciencia que juegan a ser dioses, ignorando las consecuencias, desconectados de todo lo que sucede a su alrededor. Es una novela que se siente muy vigente hoy en día a pesar de haber sido publicada en 1996.
No es una novela que hubiese elegido por cuenta propia, pero me terminó gustando mucho. La escritura de Mayra Montero me pareció preciosa, descriptiva y compleja, pero sin caer en la densidad. Retrata con sensibilidad la tragedia y se construye sobre un impulso apocalíptico basado en el colapso ambiental y el colapso político-social. Explora también la ambición ciega de la racionalidad científica en nombre del descubrimiento y el progreso. El protagonista es un herpetólogo llamado Víctor y en clase surgió el paralelismo con Víctor Frankenstein. Hombres de ciencia que juegan a ser dioses, ignorando las consecuencias, desconectados de todo lo que sucede a su alrededor. Es una novela que se siente muy vigente hoy en día a pesar de haber sido publicada en 1996.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Grief, Death, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault
jandrablooms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
2.5
woowottreads's review against another edition
3.0
My first foray into Caribbean literary fiction. I have little by which to gauge this book, so for me it an was endlessly interesting adventure into a place about which I know very little. There are environmental themes, gender and sexuality undercurrents, history and patriarchal elements all converging into one teeny little book. I should probably study up on the background of the places and the author to give myself some context. But I would read another one. The translator did incredibly well, and the prose was often quite lovely.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
2.0
Not one I'd really recommend. It could have been good if the author had decided what she wanted it to be about before starting to write it. Mostly it's about the alarming number of frog species that have gone extinct, with some interesting Afro-Caribbean folklore/superstitions thrown in, and some convoluted incestuous relationships in a Haitian family.
I had hoped there'd be a little more about Haitian zombie hunters.
There is kind of an interesting surprise at the very end, but otherwise a pretty muddy read. Excellent translation work, though, by Edith Grossman.
I had hoped there'd be a little more about Haitian zombie hunters.
There is kind of an interesting surprise at the very end, but otherwise a pretty muddy read. Excellent translation work, though, by Edith Grossman.
reggikko's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVE books that juxtapose science with superstition. I am also sort of fascinated with Haiti, so it's no surprise that I loved this slim novel. Of course, anything translated by Edith Grossman is sure to be top-notch. She and Gregory Rabassa, for my money, are the premier translators of Spanish to English. One minor quibble, and I would imagine it's written this way in the original Spanish, is that there are comma splices for days. Considering the precision with which Grossman translates, I can't imagine her choosing to structure sentences in that way if they weren't written as such in the original text.
One of the things I loved about this is the contrast between the (rational) scientists and the (superstitious) Haitians and how Montero sort of subverts expectations by making the reader question who is more grounded in reality. It's an interesting read but I don't want to say too much because I think part of the charm is allowing the story to unfold without much prior knowledge. Of course, the title reminds one of Heart of Darkness and that novel should probably be kept in the back of one's mind when reading.
I think we currently have eight of Montero's works on our shelves and I'm sure I'll be reading more of them in the coming months.
One of the things I loved about this is the contrast between the (rational) scientists and the (superstitious) Haitians and how Montero sort of subverts expectations by making the reader question who is more grounded in reality. It's an interesting read but I don't want to say too much because I think part of the charm is allowing the story to unfold without much prior knowledge. Of course, the title reminds one of Heart of Darkness and that novel should probably be kept in the back of one's mind when reading.
I think we currently have eight of Montero's works on our shelves and I'm sure I'll be reading more of them in the coming months.
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