A review by heritage
The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel
3.0
In three slightly interconnected novellas set in Portugal during the 20th century, a man drives a car for the first time and also walks backwards looking for a relic (1904), a pathologist performs an unconventional autopsy on a man whose wife carried him in a suitcase to the hospital (1938), and a politician gives up his uneventful life in order to move to another country with an ape (1981).
This book is a bit difficult to talk about because of the differences in each story. While it doesn't mess with your head as well as Paul Auster's New York Trilogy does, it's still a little on the weird side. The most important thing to say about it, and probably its strongest recommendation, is Martel's wonderful narrative. He writes beautifully--and English isn't even his first language. His narrative is so engaging that it's probably worth the read for that alone.
All of the stories deal with grief in one way or another. I found each time the subject was dealt with tenderly and compassionately. I haven't lost anyone close to me like the characters in the story have, so I can't speak from personal experience, but they do strike me as being soothing.
The first story is the one I enjoyed the most because of the experiences of the new driver, the anger he felt because of his loss, and the travelling he does on his quest. The bits about the automobile are relevant for us, not only regarding the problems cars cause in our society now, but also how different people approach new technology.
The second story is the one I liked the least. Hidden within it is an essay on Agatha Christie. I may have found it more interesting if I had ever read one of her novels or been a fan of hers, but I felt it distracted from the overall story and only served to lengthen it. I also had a similar problem with the last story, as it just feels too long for what it is. It makes a very good impact when the end finally comes, but I felt it was a long time coming.
It's an okay book, but not as meaningful as Life of Pi. I don't think anyone will be too disappointed with it. Just don't expect greatness and you'll be fine.
This book is a bit difficult to talk about because of the differences in each story. While it doesn't mess with your head as well as Paul Auster's New York Trilogy does, it's still a little on the weird side. The most important thing to say about it, and probably its strongest recommendation, is Martel's wonderful narrative. He writes beautifully--and English isn't even his first language. His narrative is so engaging that it's probably worth the read for that alone.
All of the stories deal with grief in one way or another. I found each time the subject was dealt with tenderly and compassionately. I haven't lost anyone close to me like the characters in the story have, so I can't speak from personal experience, but they do strike me as being soothing.
The first story is the one I enjoyed the most because of the experiences of the new driver, the anger he felt because of his loss, and the travelling he does on his quest. The bits about the automobile are relevant for us, not only regarding the problems cars cause in our society now, but also how different people approach new technology.
The second story is the one I liked the least. Hidden within it is an essay on Agatha Christie. I may have found it more interesting if I had ever read one of her novels or been a fan of hers, but I felt it distracted from the overall story and only served to lengthen it. I also had a similar problem with the last story, as it just feels too long for what it is. It makes a very good impact when the end finally comes, but I felt it was a long time coming.
It's an okay book, but not as meaningful as Life of Pi. I don't think anyone will be too disappointed with it. Just don't expect greatness and you'll be fine.