Scan barcode
jurgen's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
blueridgebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Bonner’s book club #5 - A wonderfully-crafted novella about a Chilean author sorting through the truth of his early life and his place as it relates to others in his childhood, and their political affiliations and the life repercussions associated with such affiliations. I really enjoyed that the protagonist was an author, so we got to see pieces of that labor and creative process interspersed.
“To read is to cover one’s face. And to write is to show it.”
“Learning to tell her story as if it didn’t hurt. That was, for Claudia, growing up: learning to tell her story precisely, bluntly. But it’s a trap to put it like that, as if the process ever ended.”
“Years ago I discovered I wanted a normal life. That I wanted, above all, to be calm. I already lived through emotions, all the emotions. I want a quiet, simple life. A life with walks in the park.”
“It was as if I wanted to punish myself absurdly while thinking how I loved this woman, how it was a complete love and not a worn-out way of loving. How she wasn’t a habit for me, not a vice that was hard to give up. And nevertheless, at that point I wasn’t, I’m not, willing to fight anymore.”
“To read is to cover one’s face. And to write is to show it.”
“Learning to tell her story as if it didn’t hurt. That was, for Claudia, growing up: learning to tell her story precisely, bluntly. But it’s a trap to put it like that, as if the process ever ended.”
“Years ago I discovered I wanted a normal life. That I wanted, above all, to be calm. I already lived through emotions, all the emotions. I want a quiet, simple life. A life with walks in the park.”
“It was as if I wanted to punish myself absurdly while thinking how I loved this woman, how it was a complete love and not a worn-out way of loving. How she wasn’t a habit for me, not a vice that was hard to give up. And nevertheless, at that point I wasn’t, I’m not, willing to fight anymore.”
savaging's review against another edition
3.0
I loved: when the narrator reckons with his parents' complicity/support of Pinochet.
I hated: when the narrator harangues his ex into reading and responding to the draft of the novel he's writing, which is this novel.
Unfortunately there was more of the second than the first.
I hated: when the narrator harangues his ex into reading and responding to the draft of the novel he's writing, which is this novel.
Unfortunately there was more of the second than the first.
jem_1984's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cultneophyte7's review against another edition
4.0
Almost the kind of book that feels like it was written just for you. Memorable, saddening, relatable, and one you know you're going to remember for a long time.
tallulahjt's review against another edition
4.0
Me gusta esta libro mucho. Yo lei "Formas de Volver a Casa" en mi clase español de escuela secundaria. Yo pienso este libro es una buena manera a aprender sobre Chile durante el gobierno de Pinochet y también leer en español si es su idioma secunda. Los personajes son interesantes y la construcción del cuento es único.
nata_lee's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Como extractos de diario (que al final es casi lo que es este libro) pues la verdad que genial, porque Zambra es simplemente un narrador innato y leer sus anotaciones, sus memorias y pensamientos es un paseo agradable.
Sin embargo como novela a mí me dejó que desear… Como que tiene ahí grandes ideas, me encanta eso de los niños como personajes secundarios de una historia de estrés político en el país, porque sus padres, los adultos, son quienes realmente lo estaban viviendo. Pero las siento como semillas que todavía pueden ser más trabajadas para crear una novela.
leonidasm's review against another edition
5.0
Είναι μερικά βιβλία, κάποιες σελίδες που βρίσκεις μέσα κομμάτια του εαυτού σου και των γραναζιών του μυαλού σου. Βιβλία που με κάποιον τρόπο βρίσκουν τους δρόμους και σε συγκινούν.
Εδώ το σπίτι είναι το παρελθόν. Και ίσως να φταίει και η ηλικία μου πια, που το να επιστρέφεις αποκτά άλλη σημασία.
Η γραφή του Zambra είχε τον τρόπο να με γυρίσει σπίτι.
Εδώ το σπίτι είναι το παρελθόν. Και ίσως να φταίει και η ηλικία μου πια, που το να επιστρέφεις αποκτά άλλη σημασία.
Η γραφή του Zambra είχε τον τρόπο να με γυρίσει σπίτι.
marc00's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.5