Hey guys,
This is the thread for discussing parts 2 & 3. If you're not quite finished, that's cool; add to the discussion at your leisure.
In part 2, we get to know the character Amalfitano and his strange preoccupation with a book of geometry written by a poet. Amalfitano was introduced in part 1, but here we get to see more of what he's about and what has shaped him.
What do you think about this character?
What do his life experiences say about him?
How do you feel this section relates to the previous section and the story thus far?
Why is the novel so preoccupied with authors and books?
What's the deal with the antagonistically homophobic inner voice?
In part 3, we are introduced to the character of Oscar Fate, who is a reporter from Harlem. At this point, we've moved from the perspective of the critics, to the perspective of an academic and in part 3, to a reporter from an entirely different context. The element of the murders in Sta. Teresa has become more pronounced as we move into the seedier side of things.
Why do you think the book moves through the focus of boxing and physicality at this point?
What is Oscar Fate all about?
What do you make of the names of the characters thus far?
Why do you think an element so particular to the U.S. has been introduced and why?
What exactly is going on in this world we're moving deeper into?
StJohn, DiamondLou86, AnSionnachRua, _refugee_, minimum_wage, flagamuffin, fuffle, b_b, hugitout, JakobVirgil, zebra2, AdSeriatim, mk, thenewgreen, SufficientGrace, ecib, kleinbl00, cliffelam, hootsbox, lil, rezzeJ, cgod, blackbootz, onehunna, AshShields, BLOB_CASTLE, insomniasexx, kuli, cowboyhaze, louderwords, Floatbox, maynard, hiss, GodOfAtheism, NikolaiFyodorov, Meriadoc, wasoxygen
It does seem that way, but I'm not so sure. Books are still central to what goes on in the pages of part 2. I don't know how geometry fits into anything, or philosophers either, but some future plot point or interaction might make it all click. Given the density of the book an the seemingly loose-weave of the storytelling, who knows? I also wonder if it's some kind of self-reflective element; it's mentioned that the author of the geometry book is a poet. Bolaño was also a poet working in another medium (novels or novelistic prose) and was also a Chilean, like Amalfitano. That could very well be stretching things simply to make connections, but again, I wonder if this was a conscious choice on Bolaño's part. That would make it masturbatory, butI suppose that it's not impossible for masturbation to be pulled off as art.
It had the authorial tie-in, and the potentially autobiographical poet-savant. But ... while I'm sure it was all conscious, that doesn't excuse its blatant lack of regard for narrative or the audience. I'm definitely making the mistake of viewing these five parts as separate chapters in one story, but I think that mistake is understandable.
I'm so far behind and I don't think there is any chance of catching up. :(
I feel you. Especially since it's this book. It's really dense and confusing and strange. I also don't think I've ever encountered so many names in a novel before. It's like reading the Iliad in that way. Anyway, I doubt you're alone given the participation in this thread. If nothing else, these responses can help us refine how we choose our books in the future!
Hey guys, sorry this is late. If you're still with us for 2666, I suppose you've already started on part 4. Is 9/28 too soon to discuss (if there is anything to discuss)? StJohn, DiamondLou86, AnSionnachRua, _refugee_, minimum_wage, flagamuffin, fuffle, b_b, hugitout, JakobVirgil, zebra2, AdSeriatim, mk, thenewgreen, SufficientGrace, ecib, kleinbl00, cliffelam, hootsbox, lil, rezzeJ, cgod, blackbootz, onehunna, AshShields, BLOB_CASTLE, insomniasexx, kuli, cowboyhaze, louderwords, Floatbox, maynard, hiss, GodOfAtheism, NikolaiFyodorov, Meriadoc, wasoxygen
I had a draft prepared in advance, so rather than blabbing all over this thread while ignoring your questions, and possibly spoiling the fact that there was nothing to spoil, I posted my comments separately.
Here's my post in wasoxygen's thread, which I put there because it responded to specific elements he mentioned. Who all's still with us? You know in advance that the boxing match will be dismissed in moments. You know the outcome, too. You know that the Panther isn't going to be acknowledged as a revolutionary or an action-hero from the moment he's introduced. How do you know these things? From reading part 1. You know there's going to be alcohol, and time spent in small taquerias (probably the same taquerias as were inhabited in part 1), and you thought you knew there would be sex but somehow "Fate" fails to have sex with anyone, defying expectation. And yet, and yet. This book is extremely fun to write about, I find, and extremely fun to imagine. Maybe it's just because I've seen movies like No Country for Old Men, and I've read books like The Devil's Highway and Tortilla Flats and every other little thing that influences my imagery which accompanies part 3. Maybe it's because I've been in and out of south Texas all my life. I dread reading this book but I like thinking about it.So, I just binged part 3 in about 90 minutes. I find that's the only way to read this goddamn book. There's less cohesion than part 1 (am ignoring part 2 entire), but more imagery. I much prefer the portraits of the places and people that overlap in parts 1 and 3 from the perspective of our intrepid journalist, who's the only character so far I've found interesting. I keep wondering why he's black. What does Bolano of all people have to say about Harlem and the Panthers? (And what's the reaction when he does discuss that stuff -- witness the recent hubski post on the Asian guy who wrote the bestseller about the American south.)
I agree, it's been one I love to hate on. I really find it hard to imagine many readers resisting the urge to skim. I added The Devil's Highway to my wish list. If you liked "No Country for Old Men" you would probably enjoy the book, and McCarthy's Border Trilogy, starting with All the Pretty Horses is a safe bet too.And yet, and yet. This book is extremely fun to write about, I find, and extremely fun to imagine. Maybe it's just because I've seen movies like No Country for Old Men, and I've read books like The Devil's Highway and Tortilla Flats...
I've tried some McCarthy and rebelled from it in my own silly literary fashion. But I've never read the Border Trilogy. Devil's Highway isn't necessarily a recommendation. It's bleak but wasn't quite factual enough for me. But if you're looking for a good understanding of what the fuck illegals go through down here in the border states, it'll fit the bill.