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alisonjfields's review against another edition
3.0
The best way I can describe it: This would make a great, semi-forgettable, kinda problematic bingewatch on Netflix.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
3.0
One of the quotes on the back of James Scudamore's Heliopolis compares it to Great Expectations, which is usually a good reason to go back and actually read Great Expectations instead of the particular book in question.
Heliopolis didn't just fall short of Great Expectations, it also fell short of the rave review in the Washington Post that drew me to it in the first place.
The novel is reasonably good but doesn't come close to great and can be flawed and clunky at times. It is a black comedy tinged with bits of melodrama and thriller that tells the story of Ludo dos Santos who was adopted into the family of a wealthy supermarket magnate who travels everywhere by helicopter. Ludo is having an affair with his adopted sister, working in an absurd advertising agency that is promoting his adopted father's new "budget" supermarket chain for the favelas, and going through a sometimes reckless exploration of these favelas.
The novel alternates between a few compressed, eventful days in the present and extensive flashbacks to the past, as well as between comedy and tragedy.
It is hard to say what was so disappointing, but the alternations never seemed to work and the disjointed jumble of genres and actions didn't make psychological sense and made the book a little less appealing.
I would, however, read Scudamore's next novel... but in the meantime will re-read Great Expectations.
Heliopolis didn't just fall short of Great Expectations, it also fell short of the rave review in the Washington Post that drew me to it in the first place.
The novel is reasonably good but doesn't come close to great and can be flawed and clunky at times. It is a black comedy tinged with bits of melodrama and thriller that tells the story of Ludo dos Santos who was adopted into the family of a wealthy supermarket magnate who travels everywhere by helicopter. Ludo is having an affair with his adopted sister, working in an absurd advertising agency that is promoting his adopted father's new "budget" supermarket chain for the favelas, and going through a sometimes reckless exploration of these favelas.
The novel alternates between a few compressed, eventful days in the present and extensive flashbacks to the past, as well as between comedy and tragedy.
It is hard to say what was so disappointing, but the alternations never seemed to work and the disjointed jumble of genres and actions didn't make psychological sense and made the book a little less appealing.
I would, however, read Scudamore's next novel... but in the meantime will re-read Great Expectations.
melanie_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I have no knowledge to judge the representation of wealthy Brazilians, but the bit about his work in advertising reaks of the banality to which many of us escape. Aren't we all in our own way Dos Santos with a story to uncover and living with the truth that our parents are just regular people?
nat_pianosa's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
scotchneat's review
2.0
Ludo was born in the slums of Sao Paulo, but is adopted into one of its wealthiest families, and falls in love with his step-sister.
Heliopolis follows Ludo as he unravels the true story of his mother's life, while examining the huge gap between have and have-not in contemporary Brazil.
For the most part, Ludo is a developed character, but somehow the tone of the writing comes flat and it's hard to care as much as one should.
Heliopolis follows Ludo as he unravels the true story of his mother's life, while examining the huge gap between have and have-not in contemporary Brazil.
For the most part, Ludo is a developed character, but somehow the tone of the writing comes flat and it's hard to care as much as one should.
alanfederman's review
4.0
This book reminded me why I love reading; great characters, compelling plot, and grist for the thought mill. It's the story of a Ludo who as a small child along with his mother is taken from a Sao Paulo slum (favela) to the farm of a wealthy super market chain owner. It's really the story of identity, class, politics, and does one ever change who they really are.
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