“A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende (Chile) Synopsis Victor Dalmau is a young doctor when he is caught up in the Spanish Civil War, a tragedy that leaves his life – and the fate of his country – forever changed. Together with his sister-in-law, the pianist Roser, he is forced out of his beloved Barcelona and into exile. When opportunity to seek … Continue reading A Long Petal of the Sea
Review “Mr. President” is a haunting journey through a surreal landscape that mirrors the absurdity of real-world politics. As our book club delved into its pages, we found ourselves immersed in a world where power corrupts absolutely and where the line between reality and fantasy blurs in unsettling ways. One aspect that struck us all was Asturias’s masterful prose. The book is undeniably well-written, with … Continue reading “Mr. President” by Miguel Angel Asturias (Guatemala)
“Holiday Heart” by Margarita Garcia Robayo (Colombia) Review Although most readers enjoyed some elements of the book, finding it easy to read, there were mixed feelings about the characters. Most didn’t engage with any of them and, as a result, didn’t feel emotionally invested in their story. They felt that the protagonists’ relationship was joyless and struggled to empathise with either of them. One reader … Continue reading Holiday Heart
“Shantytown” by César Aira (Argentina) Review There were mixed reactions to this novella-length story with some readers finding it charming and magical, while others described it as strange or unusual, and one reader liked it the least of all the books she’d read so far in the book club. At 160 pages, everyone agreed it was a quick and easy read. They loved the descriptions … Continue reading Shantytown
“The Discreet Hero” by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) Review Once confusion with the alternating narratives in the novel had passed, readers became very involved with both stories. They found them compelling, and liked the combination of intrigue and entertainment that are played out by a rich cast of characters. They didn’t particularly warm to the two protagonists but felt that they grabbed their sympathy, while … Continue reading The Discreet Hero
“In the Beginning Was the Sea” by Tomás González (Colombia) Review Despite the fact that some readers liked the book while others didn’t, everyone agreed that it was an easy read. With short chapters and at just over 150 pages long, readers zipped through what some described as a well-written, depressing modern-day fable. They liked the setting and felt that the author manages to convey a … Continue reading In the Beginning Was the Sea
“The Ventriloquist’s Tale” by Pauline Melville (Guyana) Review Readers described the book as interesting, fascinating and beautifully written. They found it easy to get into and felt that it broached serious topics in a light manner. They liked the parallels between the past and the present, between the modern and primitive worlds, and liked the historical context and insights into the Amerindian culture and life. … Continue reading The Ventriloquist’s Tale
“Ripper” by Isabel Allende (Chile) Review From a first novel to a first attempt at a new genre by a well-known writer, this year’s Summer Reading selection of crime fiction covered a wide range of writing styles. “Ripper” is Allende’s first attempt at crime fiction and most readers agreed that she should stick with magic realism. Although they felt that the writing was superior to … Continue reading Ripper
Nicola's Book Club 