What is this book? Osten

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What a strange and interesting book. there are so many ups and downs it feels like I'm riding the scrambler at a state fair. I suppose what truly intrigues me about this book is why it was written. and honestly, I'm not quite sure. so far it just seems like an entertaining book just to be entertaining. Although I doubt dr. rands (i assume) would assign a book without any deeper meaning than just an interesting story. The way the book is written seems to be translations from Clara's journal "that bore witness to life". But there are things in the book that would have never been in the book like how Blanca would go out into the night to meet with Pedro. So then maybe its an allegory? That's not likely as we don't ever learn what country they live in. All we know is that it's in South America. Perhaps it's an amazing story about the effects of time on politics, families and how nothing is forever. If this is the case then why is magic so sporadically placed throughout the story? If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I'm interested to see what the professors and other students have to say.



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Comments

Rebecca Belew said…
I found out that they live in Chile, but it took a pretty close reading to ensure I didn't skip the crucial detail that seems so elusive. I also do not understand the reasoning for the structure of the plot other than the fact that it is to tell in interesting story, but I do believe it is a combination of Clara's daily journals, notes between family members, and Esteban's own contribution based on his memories. However, it's told from such an outsider's view that only when I see first person pronouns do I remember that the narrator is part of the story itself. Very strange indeed.
March 20, 2020 at 7:37 PM
Zane Duke said…
I agree, the thing that weirds me out is the fact that the speakers, who I think are Clara and Esteban's granddaughter and Esteban himself, are always interjecting at some points in the book. I found that Esteban in his reflections is a much better person than Esteban right now, because he has lended himself to barbarism, but nevertheless I still cant keep my face out of this book for long without thinking about it> The author does. a great job of telling this story, but I want it to unfold or at least foreshadow what the end of this book is going to mean, or what is the overarching purpose behind it.
March 23, 2020 at 4:24 PM
Logan Turner said…
It certainly is odd. For such a "realistic" story of politics and interpersonal relationships, the inclusion of magic is such a curve-ball. I'm also left wondering why the professors chose this book for us to read because as far as I can tell, there is no obvious connection between this book and any of the others we've read.
March 23, 2020 at 8:41 PM
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