A review by laedyred
Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa

challenging dark sad slow-paced

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

2.5

I cannot argue that this book doesn't deserve the recognition it gets as literature - that's not up for debate. Llosa's prose and structure is notable for many reasons. In terms of my personal enjoyment, however, this didn't work for me. In a 600 page book, I was only hooked in interest for maybe 150 pages. It was a slog to get through the dense political scenes and decipher who the hell is talking in the first part of the book. As with too many books in this genre, there's rampant misogyny and the only female characters are slaves, prostitutes, and women deemed pathetic, beneath all of the men. I found it hard to remind myself that "it was a different time", because this shit never went away. Needless to say, every male character is a sack of shit.

Although I found myself checking the page number a lot, I can appreciate the craft Llosa brings in his depiction of such a volitile era in Peru's history. Bermúdez is a startling representation of the corruption, Fermín of the hypocrisy and cowardice. My heart aches for Amalia and the normalcy of her suffering as a woman. There were passages that hooked me - often the character studies rather than the political scenes.