2666 by Roberto Bolaño - Review

No spoilers, just the premise for each story and my thoughts on this dense but brilliant novel.
/ edenobando
/ eleden

[@kalishakta]

The Senator's story in part 4 about her "party planner" friend's disappearance from a "narco rancho" was VERY significant.

[@sk69to96]

I just want to say this was a really well executed review. Loved the edits and your personal thoughts.

[@SaraiTalksBooks]

Great review. I admit I'm intimidated, not because of the gore, but because I'm afraid once I finish I'll be one of those that 'doesn't get it'. This book is so controversial. I think it's because Bolaño has a very distinct style--from what I've read he's very direct and raw and doesn't care about hurting your feelings and I admire that so much in writers that I go into their books kind of with a bias. I want to try it eventually, maybe after I've conquered a few books that intimidate me and I'm more confident.

[@vaporreads5095]

+Sarai Talks Books I get what you're saying. He doesn't pull any punches and a lot of the characters and events in there are offensive. but he knew this, and I think he would be happy knowing people had a negative reaction to the more gruesome parts.

[@sk69to96]

I'm with you on the aspect of feeling a bit perplexed by the end of the novel. I'd feel pretty fucking defeated if after reading such a tome that's been regarded as "good" ends up flying straight over my head. lol.

[@gaulpict]

Hadnt considered the 'magical realism' of the 'seaweed boy' and the way it wanes ties in with the character becoming mature/ grounded. 2666 stayed with me too - thanks for the review!

[@jakobtanner2523]

This was a really great review. I read 2666 a few years ago and I was happy to be reminded of it through your video. I know what you mean though -- some of the stuff doesn't leave you. I always think about part 4 and how intense and grueling it was

[@vaporreads5095]

+Jakob Tanner Thanks! Part 4 was a struggle but in a good way, more of a challenge I would say.

[@derekgreen7319]

A great book. The entire time i was reading the last section i kept expecting a wrap up end. And it never came . Its so great !

[@isacmasis8432]

Tremendo libro. Ya lo he leído tres veces. “Los Detectives Salvajes” también es brutal, y tiene más de setecientas páginas.

[@WeirdBookBookClub]

1. This is an incredible book review, both in content and style. PLEASE MAKE MORE! 2. I wish my language skills were good enough to experience Bolaño in the original Spanish, too. Something to shoot for. 3. Also: PLEASE MAKE MORE BOOK REVIEWS!

[@vaporreads5095]

thanks, man. great vinyl collection btw. Not a lot of books/vinyl crossovers here on youtube.

[@CravingBooks27]

I'm glad you're posting again. I've missed your videos. I saw this earlier today at Ass O'clock (read: too early to function), and I didn't know what to say besides 'ohh, pretty.' But now it's a more reasonable hour and I can finally string words together (kinda). I adore this video -- the editing was superb and the review of 2666 was wonderful. I'm going to track it down =)

[@vaporreads5095]

+CravingBooks Thank you so much! please do track it down it's a great read.

[@b_libros4579]

Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con tu reseña. Siempre es agradable encontrar a alguien que haya disfrutado la lectura tanto como tú. Yo había leído "Los detectives salvajes" hace unos dos años, por recomendaciones de amigos. Ya sabes, es como la obra más famosa de Bolaño. Sin embargo, a manera de reto y porque me intrigaba sobremanera empaparme del contenido de la Novela Total, y el hecho de pensar en todo el lío del autor escribiendo apresurado para dejar $$ a sus hijos, decidí dedicar los dos últimos meses de 2015 a convivir con Archimboldi y compañía. Y es que de verdad, hay una atmósfera de pesadumbre que se cargan la Parte de Amalfitano y la Parte de los crímenes, que no me deja de pasar por la mente. Y unos personajes tan bien hechos, que no quieres que se vayan nunca. A un año hay cosas que recuerdo de repente, como si las hubiera leído ayer. Tengo muy presente al profanador de iglesias, por ejemplo, y ese pedacito, como lo mencionas, me parece una historia en sí, que da para todavía más. En fin, creo que "2666" tendría que ser una de esas lecturas obligadas :)

[@vaporreads5095]

Hola! Gracias por el comentario. Has comunicado mis pensamientos con una lucidez que me falto. Te deberia contratar para que me escribas guiones jaja. Pero en serio, fueron esos momentos que se quedan con uno y vuelven a emerger de vez en cuando que le dan impacto a este libro. Espero que disfrutes Los Detectives Salvajes. Saludos!

[@b_libros4579]

jajaja, nada de eso, lo que más me falta en esta vida es lucidez. Ahora leo "Los sinsabores del verdadero policía" y aunque es una chulada, no se compara con "2666". Saludos de vuelta.

[@liquidpebbles7475]

estoy en la parte de los crimenes actualmente y sí! la parte de amalfitano me encantó aunque hay un tono de tristeza trágica a través de toda ella

[@fireflyqueen6]

"every fucked up thing going on in Mexico.." Yes, but I really see it as a mirror. This horror happens worldwide all the time. Was the world always like this and we are just taking it all in? Maybe.

[@vaporreads5095]

+fireflyqueen6 Agreed. Bolaño was very much a global writer (and 2666 was a global novel). his experiences in so many places with so many people opened up his eyes to those things. I stressed the attention to Mexico because all of the story lines converged there and the town of Santa Teresa was the main driving force of the plot.

[@IdanShir]

Si te gustó esto, te recomiendo que leas las novelas Horacio Castellanos Moya (El asco, por ejemplo). Tuvo una correspondencia con Bolaño, y es un escritor gigante. Sus novelas se tratan del lado violente del ser humano durante situaciones extremas. Sus novelas contienen mucho humor negro sin ser cínicas sin razón.

[@vaporreads5095]

El Asco suena muy interesante. Gracias por la recomendación!

[@EamonnSheehy]

nice tshirt! Starting Bolano's 'Nazi literature' this week - first Bolano book for me. only know a few short stories. Good review.

[@vaporreads5095]

+Eamonn Sheehy Thank you! Enjoy it.

[@radiantchristina]

This has been on my shelves for so long, but I have been intimidated by it .

[@bighardbooks770]

I think you've got Part 5 incorrect: it's *_not_* Archimoldi "returning;" we don't "find out more about his childhood," that's a *_different_* Archimoldi; in fact, it's *Reiter* stealing his identity! How Rosa's son is involved hot me, perhaps, the hardest. *_Viva_** Bolaño!*

[@vaporreads5095]

Spoiler alert for anyone that hasnt finished. Archimboldi is Hans Reiter's Pen name. He is in Mexico because the suspected murderer Klaus Hass is his nephew.

[@bighardbooks770]

@@vaporreads5095 Well ... You didn't have to do THAT lol . . . Yell em "Rosa's son," too, while you're at it?

[@chokingmessiah]

Wonderful review!

[@vaporreads5095]

+BOHEMIA Thank you.

[@francolopez2460]

Achoo! I just sneezed.

[@bighardbooks770]

Wow...I'm just starting this, now.

[@havefunbesafe]

Can somebody explain the end to me?

exclenete video!!!!!

MIRA MI NUEVO VIDEO kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIq5iauAfN98gKM

[@davidlona7553]

Did You Read The Spanish Or English Version?

[@vaporreads5095]

Spanish.

[@davidlona7553]

@@vaporreads5095 I'm Reading 2666 Right Now, And I'm Glad I Got The Spanish Version. To Me It Has A Pulp Fiction Fill To It. How Did You Fill About The Novel? And One More Question Have You Read More Novels Of Roberto Bolaños? Wich Do You Recommend? Thanks

[@vaporreads5095]

@@davidlona7553 Hi David, when you say Pup Fiction, do you mean the literary genre or the movie? either way I can see what you mean. It is broken into multiple chapters with interlocking stories and larger than life characters, bizarre and unexplainable situations and lots of violence. If you want more I recommend The Skating Rink and Distant Star. Hope yo enjoy them.

[@davidlona7553]

@@vaporreads5095 I Meant The Movie. What's Their Names In Spanish? I Think That If Your Lucky and Know How to Read In Both Languages You Should Read It In Spanish I Think one Will Get more out of reading it in its Original Language

[@vaporreads5095]

@@davidlona7553 La Pista de Hielo y Estrella Distante. Son buenisimos.