Reviews

Fate by Jorge Consiglio

papelgren's review

4.0

The original title for this little masterpiece translates to Three Coins, which is apparently a reference to the I Ching, but it also literally flips what the book is about when translated to English. Chance or fate? Will an Argentinian reader think this thought? It doesn't matter. Consiglio makes the mundane gorgeous while pursuing a grand albeit obscure project. The book demands re-reading. And if not that, it at the very least demands your attention and persistent thought long after the first reading occurs.

angeljenio's review

reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

kris_80's review

dark medium-paced

3.75

figpudding's review

dark hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

brotacel94's review

lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

3.75

sam_gorny's review

reflective slow-paced

3.25

echo_'s review

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

2.75

lauren_endnotes's review

4.0

"... understand that the world is not ruled by immutable laws; it is vulnerable, uncertain. Understand that fate replaces destiny."
- Ezequiel Martínez Estrada

Opening epigraph of
• FATE by Jorge Consiglio, translated from the Spanish by Carolina Orloff & Fionn Petch, 2018 / 2020.

Character sketches of modern people living and moving about Buenos Aires, Argentina: a museum taxidermist who is trying to stop smoking, a meteorologist who fancies a fling, a professional musician...

The novella cycles through each person story in a repeating 1-2-3 pattern for the whole book, and at only 118 pages, that worked well. A longer work, possible the format would have gone stale - crisis averted!

Parts of this reminded by of the fun frolics of Norwegian writer Gunnhild Øyehaug in WAIT, BLINK, told in present tense, the feeling of looking in a window at people as they go about their business... or like watching a goldfish in a bowl.

Relatable scenarios (I laughed at the on-going situation with the one character trying to figure out where the ants

roisin8242f's review

reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

samuraibunny's review

reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

I liked the book, but felt like it was going nowhere. Perhaps that was the intention of the author? 

You follow 4 main characters throughout the book, but don't receive closure on their stories. I'm starting to think this is intended, but as a reader, I'd much rather have the book be longer to wrap them up.

I would recommend this book for those who enjoy slice-of-life books