A review by mmcloe
The Skating Rink by Roberto Bolaño

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Interesting to see Bolano's first novel to emphasize his maturation to his later work. This had a few excellent moments, especially towards the end, that really highlight his prose skills and his knack for limning out the dialectic between desire and violence. 

I don't think the tone of his different characters was differentiated enough and his prose got a little too purple at moments. Still, a solid first novel of someone with many excellent later novels.