Reviews

The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares

tkroeker's review

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.25

Quick read. At times pompous. Main character has flaws that render him not relatable and his behavior over the top.  As an exercise in psychology and science fiction it is engaging, but be ready to be whiplashed at the weak-minded (perhaps a slide into insanity…?) whims of the protagonist 

eam541's review

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

bonesbones90's review

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

shoba's review

4.0

“But there are no hallucinations or imaginings here; I know these people are real- at least as real as I am.”

The narrator, a writer fleeing from authorities, asks a kind rug seller for assistance and was given directions to a remote island. The merchant tells him that the previous occupants built a museum, chapel and swimming pool but then for unknown reasons departed from the island. After an arduous journey, the writer arrives on the island and takes up residence in the abandoned museum and spends his days writing his memoirs. One day he wakes to the sound of a phonograph and voices coming from the museum and sees people moving about. The narrator identifies twelve strangers, their cloths from a bygone era, and they were dancing to the music from the phonograph. Scared of being found out and captured, he leaves for the marshlands but continues to spy on the intruders. Several days later and desperate for food, the writer finds his way into the basement of the museum and discovers a generator and water pump. He also comes across a mysterious green motor and an iron pipeline that seems connected to the mill wheel located in the lowlands on the south side of the island. Days later the narrator spots a woman with a scarf sitting on the rocks at sunset and on the following days, sees her again.

“I had nothing to hope for. That was not so horrible- and the acceptance of that fact brought me peace of mind. But now the woman has changed all that. And hope is the one thing I must fear.”

The writer becomes angry and despondent when one of the other guests accompanies the woman, since he must then avoid the area to prevent detection.

“…like any recluse who had been alone too long, I was falling in love with a woman….I went back to see her the next afternoon, and the next. She was there, and her presence began to take on the quality of a miracle.”

One day the writer hurries to the rocks to introduce himself to the woman. She acts as if she could not hear or see him. Night falls, the woman returns to her companions and since he was seen by her, he waits for the men to come find him.

“ I am afraid. But more than that I am angry at myself….But I am not so worried about the dangers I am facing- I am most concerned about the mistake I made- it can deprive me of the woman forever.”

Surprisingly no one comes looking him. Days later the woman returns, coming down to the rocks with a book. Soon a bearded man joins her who she addresses as Morel and he calls the woman Faustine.

“…Oh, it has been such a long time now since she has seen me. I think I shall kill her, or go mad, if this continues any longer.”

The narrator begins to copy the visitors’ conversations and finds they were repeating the same words. He notices the two moons and two suns in the sky. He hears Morel say, “I could have told you when we arrived: ‘We shall live for eternity.’” 

The writer begins to believe that he was poisoned or dead and that the guests were gods. 

“I understand that what Morel had said several hours ago was true (but very possibly he did not say it for the first time several hours ago, but several years ago; he repeated it that night because it was part of the week, on the eternal record).”

And then one day shockingly a ship arrives.

perkabethlawyer's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

deanna_rigney's review

5.0

Existential dilemmas, an exotic and mysterious island, and a mad (or is he?) and elusive criminal all come together in this science-fiction/love story. No, really, and it is only about 100 pages long. I had no idea what to expect and I was quite surprised and delighted. I highly recommend.

delaguila19's review against another edition

4.0

SPOILER
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Este es un libro que no puede dejar a nadie indiferente; cuando en el diario se empieza a explicar que las personas en la isla no son mas que imágenes grabadas (lo que podria denominarse como hologramas en la actualidad), y el dilema del fugitivo sobre la inmortalidad, y los pensamientos posteriores son realmente notables, pero mas es el cierre del libro : «Búsquenos a Faustine y a mí, hágame entrar en el cielo de la conciencia de Faustine. Será un acto piadoso»
No le doy 5 estrellas porque creo que le faltó desarrollar mas la maquina que proyecta las imágenes. :)

del_rea's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

amal_z's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed this one. it took some time for the plot to unfold but I thought it was brilliant. 

hkilmartin's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I liked where this wound up, but I actually would have preferred it longer with more insight into the narrator, sleuthing, and suspense.  Still an unusual science fiction.