The Mongolian Conspiracy

I have so many thoughts on this book, so many notes. There's a pretty good chance I come back and update this or write something of some length elsewhere about this.This is the second Bernal I've read. I loved the first ([b:His Name was Death 56760368 His Name was Death Rafael Bernal https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616806546l/56760368.SY75.jpg 1783878]), but hated the main character. I thought that was a bit of the point. I started questioning that relatively soon into this book because the main character here is not likable - and I went back and forth on if you're supposed to like this character or not. In the end, I don't think so. However, I think, ultimately, Bernal is interested in pointing out that there simply are not a lot of likable people. People are complex and hypocritical, and these people are being written into trope-like roles by an author writing for a late 60s audience.The book is awash with racism, sexism, homophobia (wow, the homophobia). Toxic masculinity, of course, but also a sort of glimpse at what an alternative would be (though fleeting, in the closing pages). The main character's thoughts, the obvious connections they have to senses of inferiority, shame, and fear are deeply interesting.At some point, I'm going to go through my notes and think about this a little more, and perhaps I'll update it.