Reputations | 
pickA celebrated political cartoonist in #Columbia is in the midst of receiving accolades when an encounter causes him to look back at a fateful choice and start asking questions. Really interesting book.
#ReadingAmericas2023
pickI really enjoyed this. An intriguing story of a successful political cartoonist who questions his place in society & the value of his work (like in At Dusk by Hwang Sok-Yong). I love the strength of Vazquéz‘s writing, & the characters come to life: Magdalena‘s beguiling voice; his boss‘s bumptious formality. You sense the mist in the hills & stinging pollution of Bogotá. Are cartoonists truth-tellers or just part of the mob tearing people down?
pickJavier Mallarino is the most renowned political cartoonist in his country, a man who wields extraordinary power with his pencil. The day after he‘s honored for his career & many achievements, a young woman shows up at his door asking about an afternoon long ago in the past. It‘s an afternoon she remembers nothing about but Javier does, he remembers the afternoon & what he decides to do next will have far reaching consequences. A good read.
pickVery tense read about an aging political cartoonist reflecting on power, truth, and atonement.
so-soBrings up great questions about memories, public image and responsibility. The main character is interesting, but the one who brings about the questions is flat. Could‘ve been so much more.
#LitsyAtoZ #V
Javier Mallarino is at the peak of his life and one expects that he would be enjoying his #goldenyears as a celebrated political cartoonist in Colombia. Then a visit from a young woman dredges up past events and forces him to reassess himself. #SeptemBowie @Marchpane @Cinfhen
so-soA short book that felt long. I enjoyed the premise more than the story itself. It reminded me of Rachel Cusk's Outline, in that it was more meditation than novel. Beautifully written, and somewhat revealing of Colombian culture, I kept hoping for something to happen, and something different from what actually happened. But I'm glad I read it and I'm glad I'm done.
pickMy brief Goodreads review sums up how I feel about this. Some masterful writing in the realist mode, but ultimately shallow in its actual ideas. It's still a pick because I think it's superior to most fiction that's highly-praised. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1886745440 #LitsyAtoZ
(My full review in PopMatters: http://www.popmatters.com/review/reputations-by-juan-gabriel-vasquez-explores-sl...
so-soIncreasingly, I find that I just do not care about stories about middle aged men... no matter how beautiful the writing.
pickFirst book finished in 2017! I really liked this short, meditative novel about a political cartoonist in Colombia. The writing was beautiful, with the weighted artistry and atmosphere of a darker Almodóvar film. Love my signed first edition from @strandbookstore too. #PercyCat approved. ?
Thought today's #SeasonsReadings2016 would take a few minutes to gather, but five out of the seven in my tbr stack fit the #weneeddiversebooks theme.
pickPretty short and interesting book in which a political cartoonist examines the impact of his work on others. The book has some flaws but overall was pretty engaging. Vasquez' style is minimal and sparse and not a whole lot happens. This book is more about a quiet reflection on morality than it is fast moving plot. I do which that the author would have examined the implications of a free press in a country where it is limited but still good.
panThis book had so much promise and I really enjoyed the first half. But then suddenly a new character enters the story and sexual assault is used as a plot device, which I found problematic because the victim's struggle with it was not centered. It was the male protagonist's reaction to it that was the focus!
For a detailed explanation, read my full review: http://wp.me/p7a9pe-VA
#diversebooks #diversereads #literaryfiction #Litsygram #reading
pickBeautiful writing in this one (especially loved his similes and his use of tense). Moving and thought-provoking consideration of memory, power, and reputation.
#recommendsday
Review:
https://rosemaryandreadingglasses.com/2016/10/25/reputations-the-mothers/
pickJavier Mallarino has been a political cartoonist for decades. After receiving an award for his work,he is forced to reflect on how he has built his own reputation by destroying those of others. If you like works that inspire self-reflection, you should read this book.
Hmmm. This reminds me of someone I know. Perhaps my teenage daughter?
Loving this book and the beautiful October day. Thanks to @LizzyM for putting up with all her guests!
It is such a beautiful day here in central Massachusetts that I couldn't resist sneaking out of my (home) office for a few minutes of reading on the porch.
Next up! Has anyone read this?
The #bookmail from @strandbookstore is so good! Cannot wait to read this. #wndb #diversebooks
#signedsundays My first signed edition from my Strand Book Hookup subscription. Looking forward to this one!
My first #bookmail from the Strand's Book Hookup subscription. So awesome —this is going to be like having four extra birthdays a year 🎉 This book looks great and the #booktober challenge just made me realize I need to read more Latin American writers. @strandbookstore
This quarter's signed first edition subscription from @strandbookstore is STRONG. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
I'm disappointed with myself for today's #booktober challenge. I like to take pictures of books I actually own in print, but the only one I could find set in South America was Reputations, as it is set in Colombia. I do have TONS of books set in Latin American countries, but it's mostly Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. I've also read books set in S. America but don't own any. I need to fix that soon! 😞
#reading #diversebooks #books
Reputations was one of the very first books I received from a big publisher, Riverhead Books. I originally contacted them to get a copy of The Mothers by Brit Bennett, but I did it too late. Instead, they offered to send me Reputations! That was months ago & I'm ashamed to admit I still haven't read it. I'm fixing that tonight, though! I need to finish quickly & write up a review so I can request more booksðŸ˜
#reading #diversebooks #books #arcs
ATTENTION ALL READERS! I'm starting a club for...
If y'all don't know that it's Hispanic Heritage Month, and one of the publishers that I love, Riverhead (thanks to @Liberty for introducing) has put out a list of books to add to your list. So listen, I'll be hosting a readalong of these books until Dec and will be trying to be very interactive with anyone who wants to join my group.#weneedmorediversebooks If you're interested please comment below!
so-soJavier Mallarino is an artist turned newspaper caricaturist set to receive a tribute to his career. His unflinching drawings have destroyed public figures but also alienated his family and friends. The language is beautiful and I so wanted to love this novel but I could not connect to Javier. He felt self-centered and careless. And a womanizer. And the novel abruptly ends! #Translation #ColumbiaLit
so-soI actually loved the book, but the ending really spoiled the experience for me.
The writing is beautiful and the whole narrative felt very fluent even though it moved between the present and the past. I also liked the idea about how shaky people stand on the moral high ground and how it was fleshed out in the book. But the ending, I just can't get over it.
Day 1 of staycation was a great success on the reading front.... Now I wonder if I can finish this one before the debate is on.
Magdalena's voice: husky and smooth at the same time, one of those voices that paralyze the hand of someone about to turn the dial, that translate the chaos of the world and convert its obscure jargon into a diaphanous tongue. "A cello that speaks..."
??
Look #bookmail curtesy of winning a Goodreads giveaway! Really excited to start this next! Thanks @RiverheadBooks
September can't come fast enough.. Spotted on river head books feed in IG!
September can't come fast enough.. Spotted on river head books feed in IG!
The final BEA haul - it was an incredible 3 days and we've got some amazing books to read! Better get crackin!
Bookmail is on fire lately. Yes, yes, yes! To this one. Coming in September. Anyone had a chance to read it yet?
