The Savage Detectives: A Novel
by Roberto Bolano
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Book Reviews of The Savage Detectives: A Novel
Book Review: Required reading for any poet
Summary: 5 Stars
This is Bolano's first masterpiece which just so happens to reflect his life, a life which also must be viewed as a masterpiece of sorts in all of its wayfaring depth. This is required reading for any poet or any prospective poet from every continent on this rotating globe. The writing transcends country and culture and reminds us how interconnected we all are. Although this is a novel, the savage detective within you will recognize the poetry. Beware, when you read this book you will be changed. Of course, you will also experience the universality of this true poet and that should seem like a fair deal if you are so inclined. Natasha Wimmer's first remarkable translation of Bolano succeeds on every level.Book Review: Imperfectly entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was a lot of fun. It has serious things to say about literature and especially the particular literary scene where it's set, but it's also really funny, even kind of daffy. Many reviewers have pointed out that it rambles and ambles and doesn't always cohere, and that's a fair assessment. This is a book that could have used a good edit, but the author is dead and the book is what it is. I disagree with the reviewers who call it slow, but I did have to force myself to speed up some and not linger and labor over the details and names. Then it was, as I said, a lot fun and yet deadly serious in what it has to say. It wasn't quite the book I wanted it to be, but it was definitely worth the time it took.Book Review: See Durrell on art is for arting etc.
Summary: 1 Stars
Excuse me for referring the reader to Durrell's crude, but appropriate quote. After all I had heard about Bolano I hoped to find a work of real substance. Any substance found here, I am sorry to say, is sheer projection. The emperor, at least by this effort, has no clothes. But there are a lot of people who 'love literature' out there and want literature to be, well, literature, writers who want simply to writers. And in a world drowning in its own loud thoughtlessness I am not surprised that this is being celebrated as literary greatness. In reality, though, it is cleverness, but a poor substitute for insight into anything to do with life - other, of course, than narcissism.Book Review: The Writer's Writer
Summary: 5 Stars
Before reading this novel I was completely unfamiliar with Roberto Bolano's work, after...he's one of my favorite writers. I went into this not knowing what expect because of the title, "The Savage Detectives". This novel doesn't have too much to do with detectives though. Its all about writers, poets, scholars, journalists, intellectuals,etc. If you are interested in any of that. Go get this book immediately. Not to mention its an extremely fluid and easy read. More like a conversation with one of over fifty characters. I also recommend 2666 by Bolano. Very similiar in structure, but a much darker story. I believe Bolano is very much a writer's writer.Book Review: An excellent book
Summary: 5 Stars
I think this is Bolano's best work, and one of the best books I have ever read. It displays an exceptional writing style that enmeshes you in its own world. The profusion of characters made it a little difficult to follow at the start, but quickly I was totally absorbed, and the wealth of characters brought a depth of plot I have never found in another book. What intrigued me the most was the difference in the perception of events as viewed from their multiple perspectives. I have also read "2666" and "The Skating Rink", and while each one has its own individual style, collectively they are uniquely Bolano, and well worth reading also.