Sebastian Rodriguez
The words, the prose - the way that Michelle Zauner is able to dive into her own feelings and echo the collective meaning of our relationships to our own mothers. This is a book I am glad I read prior to being a parent - I found here lessons, that felt so relatable on what the relationship to your kids is going to be - and what they'll take away from being a part of you and you a part of them.
Although the parallels to recent reality exist (briefly but painfully) - the story examines hope even in the darkest days - that we most feared to become real. The author really needles past and present - connecting the dots and building a beautiful narrative in such vivid detail. This is a page turner, can't recommend it enough.
“Through countless frosts and thaws, he walked in circles wider than nations.”
I'm not a big western fan. But this book transcends its genre and somehow touches on the past, present and future. It's a coming of age for a whole continent. There is so much wealth of knowledge - I found myself saving all the gems that Haka shared as he crossed the world. Couldn't put this book down.
The morals of the kitchen through Anthony Bourdain's inside look of the life of chefs - was not only educational but at times a great lesson of morals and knives. As a relative and honest non-foodie, I learned beyond what could apply to slicing onions and buying the right knife.
“Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don't have.”
La narración de Zambra tiene su única voz y ritmo. Pero aún en “Poeta Chileno” es capaz de superarse - y generar para mí una narrativa que a tiempos no se si autobiográfico o ficción.
Me quedo con esta cita, que para mí es el hilo central que conecta todo:
“Eran como dos desconocidos buscando desesperadamente un tema en común; parecía que hablaban de algo y estaban juntos, pero sabían que en realidad no hablaban de nada y estaban solos.”
“To me, that is beauty. Not the gleam of prefabricated perfection, but the road-worn beauty of individuality, time, and wisdom.”
I came into this doubtful, expectant and afraid of being let down by my idol. Let me tell you that it couldn't be farther from the truth. Dave is a storyteller, and one who has the innate ability to bring you behind the curtain. It's the careful selection of which stories and how they're woven,interconnected and dependent on each other. It feels to me, like hanging out with a friend having a cold one while talking of old times and the endless wisdom that comes from aging - and appreciating the good in life. This is a feel-good, and it came at a perfect time where this light was needed. Thanks Dave.
“He has wondered lately if that's all living really is—one long goodbye to those we love”
I came into this skeptical. But by the first few pages was convinced otherwise. By the first third of the book I couldn't put this book down - amazing characters and complex topic explorations. Here I am - just hours after finishing the book and still saying to myself, “What the f***?”
(closer to 3.5 but - give that 0.5 to storytelling and narrative)
Seth does a great job at telling a hilarious, non stop narrative which at times feels like the best stand up he's ever done. The end to me didn't seem to have landed - either because I wanted him to keep going or perhaps he is already thinking of follow-up. None the less - it was hilarious, catching myself laughing out loud, non-stop.
Lo único que lamento es no haber leído este libro antes. Quedó sentado esperando en la repisa por años, antes de que llegara a el. Y al leerlo ni quise que terminara - bajando la velocidad a medida que quedarán menos páginas.
“Estábamos cansados de esperar que alguien escribiera el libro que queríamos leer”
Alejandro Zambra describe bien nuestra relación con nuestros padres, primeros amores o amores que simplemente no estaban destinados a ser. Pero en esa exploración disecta la relación que tenemos todos los Chilenos con la dictadura militar en Chile. Como esos casi 20 años definen gran parte de lo que somos - hayamos o no vivido a través de ellos.
This book throws you right into the action. Keeps you on the edge, waiting to find out what happens.
The letters, the duality and the format of this book itself is immensely dynamic and worth the read. Exploring timelines past, present and future - made it really enjoyable - not to mention limitless.
“And everyone is alive, somewhere in time”
The writing is beautiful, easy to read and follow. The first half was slow it then picked up speed but as I hit the last quarter or so of the book - I kept expecting/hoping for an unexpected turn - and in that lies my rating, more than a story, its the observation of Klara into Josie's life that is the protagonist of the story.
The sci-fi components are just backdrops, as faith and the supernatural is what it end up delivering. Technologies admiring natural entities such as the sun as gods and as a result, faith in the Sun.
“Don't look at the stranger and jump to conclusions. Look at the stranger's world.”
Don't get me wrong - I can never put down a Malcolm Gladwell book or article. However, this one was a harder one to keep me engaged. The premise and the theory are there. So are the intertwining examples. I just feel this could have less examples to connect the dots - at times it felt a bit repetitive. Never felt there was a conclusion, a statement of facts or a final summary. Something to bring it all together.
This sits somewhere between a 3.5 to 4 for me.
