I always have a hard time with books like this. It was well-written, but I didn't love it. I certainly didn't mind the unique characters - of which there were many - but I really didn't like most of them. My favorite character was Clara. One of the reasons I liked her is because she genuinely seemed to love Esteban, which is ironic because my least favorite character was Esteban. Clara wasn't really invested in anyone though, including her children. She was self-absorbed and preoccupied with her spirits. Then, when she feels her time on earth is done, she dies and leaves everyone else to struggle without her. Why?
I detested Esteban. How he could love both Rosa and Clara, yet treat all other women in his life like lower life forms, raping and discarding them like they were nothing, is beyond me. He was violent and cruel. He was selfish and arrogant. Since he was also the narrator, the reader rarely gets a break from him. It's hard for me to love a book when I hate the narrator and main character.
When the story turned more political in nature, I thought it was interesting how it parallels
our recent politics. Due to unexpected election results, the whole country panics and impulsively makes decisions, like pulling their money out of the banks and fleeing the country. Property values halved and people start stringing barbed wire along the border to keep the Russians out. "In a few hours the country had split into two irreconcilable groups, a division that began to spread within every family in the land." How incredibly interesting that this book was written in 1982 and the same thing could have been written today! It is also a good reminder that power is power, and it can be corrupt no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on. Esteban thinks everything is going to be so great when the "rebel" president eventually gets overthrown, but things get even worse, for himself and his country. (It reminded me of Katniss realizing that District 13 taking down the Capitol wasn't going to be a positive thing, just a transfer of abusive power. Where is the girl with the bow & arrow and wicked shot when you need her?) ;)
Anyway, I will continue reading more from this author (I really want to read The Japanese Lover), but this was not my favorite book.
Wendy's Rating: ***1/2
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