Books matching: military dictatorship
22 result(s)
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- #1
Save:In an unidentified Latin American country under a dictatorship, journalist Irene Beltran and photographer Francisco Leal join forces to uncover a terrible crime, blending journalistic elements with narrative fiction. The book delves into the impact of a corrupt military on multiple families, portraying themes of love, politics, and family under dictatorship. The story follows Irene's journey from innocence to awareness of the brutal realities of the regime, while intertwining love stories and political commentary.
- #2
Save:Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis is a historical fiction novel set in Uruguay during the 1970s and 1980s, under a brutal dictatorship. The story follows a group of five queer women who create a haven in an isolated beach community to live authentically, away from the constant surveillance and danger of arrest. De Robertis intricately weaves together the women's individual histories while highlighting the struggles they face due to both political oppression and societal discrimination. The novel beautifully portrays the deep bond and fierce loyalty shared among the women as they navigate love, loss, and the fight for freedom in a repressive society.
The narrative style of Cantoras is praised for its ability to fully capture the reader's attention, with a slow revelation of the women's stories over the span of decades. The book skillfully balances shedding light on Uruguayan history for readers unfamiliar with the country, while keeping the focus on the central characters and their evolving relationships. Through poignant storytelling and vivid descriptions, De Robertis explores themes of love, friendship, resilience, and the quest for freedom amidst adversity.
They would find nothing in Cabo Polonio, the cart driver said: no electricity, and no running water. The cart driver lived in a nearby village but made that trip twice a week to supply the little groc... - #3
Save:'Our Share of Night' by Mariana Enriquez is a unique blend of horror and literary fiction set in Argentina during the brutal military dictatorship. The plot revolves around a medium trying to save his son from the clutches of an insidious cult known as the Order, which thrives on crimes of the dictatorship and unholy powers. The story unfolds with a mix of horror elements, intricate family histories, and dark magical realism, keeping the reader engrossed and intrigued. The writing style is described as authoritative, spooky, and enjoyable, with the book being a cross between a horror story and literary fiction, creating a riveting and unputdownable read.
- #4
Save:A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif is a fictionalized tale surrounding the mysterious plane crash that killed General Zia ul Haq, the military dictator of Pakistan, in 1988. Through a satirical and humorous narrative, the book delves into the political instability of the era, General Zia's personality, and the various assassination plots aimed at him. The story is filled with dark humor, intertwining multiple subplots and characters to create a thrilling and insightful journey through the complexities of power dynamics and conspiracy in Pakistan during the late 80s.
The novel is narrated by Under Officer Ali Shigri, who seeks revenge for the alleged suicide of his father, a high-ranking Officer, by plotting to kill General Zia. As the story unfolds, the reader is exposed to the intricacies of espionage, military ambition, and the blurred lines between fact and fiction. Hanif's writing style blends elements of black comedy, political thriller, and historical fiction to provide a unique perspective on the events leading up to General Zia's demise, offering a satirical yet poignant commentary on the injustices and complexities of Pakistani society.
There is something about these bloody squadron leaders that makes them think that if they lock you up in a cell, put their stinking mouth to your ear and shout something about your mother they can fin... - #5
Save:Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig is a novel that delves into the complex relationship between two prisoners, Molina and Valentin, in an Argentine prison during the military dictatorship. Molina, a gay man imprisoned for corrupting a minor, and Valentin, a political prisoner, form an unlikely bond through their shared confinement. The story unfolds mainly through dialogue, with Molina entertaining Valentin by recounting intricate movie plots, which serve as a backdrop for the deeper themes of love, victimization, and transformation explored in the novel.
The unique writing style of Kiss of the Spider Woman is characterized by its heavy reliance on dialogue, with no narrative exposition, creating a vivid portrayal of the two protagonists and their evolving relationship. Through Molina's movie retellings and the footnotes that touch upon theories of homosexuality, the novel weaves together various genres and themes, including LGBTQ issues, political revolution, romance, tragedy, and psychological insights. As the story progresses, Molina and Valentin's friendship blossoms under the shadow of their confinement, leading to profound changes in both characters.
—Something a little strange, that’s what you notice, that she’s not a woman like all the others. She looks fairly young, twenty-five, maybe a little more, petite face, a little catlike, small turned-u... - #6
Save:After suffering through the worst of the Spanish Civil War, young doctor Victor Dalmau is offered the chance to emigrate to Chile on a ship chartered by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Taking with him the mother of his dead brother's child Victor and his new family survive further upset over the next forty years. In a work of fiction that is populated by real characters such as Neruda, Isabel Allende has crafted a love story to Chile and also explored the stories of the Spanish diaspora. The scenes at the start of the book are some of the best writing I have read about the Spanish Civil War and after that, the story continues to weave the lives of the people into the events of the world.
In 1939, the poet Pablo Neruda organized a ship to transport 2200 Spanish refugees to Chile, to start a new life. In A Long Petal of the Sea Isabel Allende placed two fictional characters, Victor and Roser, into this setting and imagines their lives over the next 50 years. Or at least that's what I think she meant to do. Unfortunately, the book often reads like a Wikipedia entry on Chilean history, with the characters as convenient pawns in that narrative. There's a lot of good stuff for a novel here a multigenerational story arc involving war, romance, illegitimate children, lost loves, and lives well lived despite adversity. But the long explanations of history and the political climate snuff out any possibility of the reader's emotional engagement.
THE YOUNG SOLDIER WAS PART of the “Baby Bottle Conscription,” the boys called up when there were no more men, young or old, to fight the war. Victor Dalmau received him with the other wounded taken fr... - #7
Save:'Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent' by Eduardo Galeano is a historical masterpiece that delves deep into the exploitation and plunder faced by Latin America over the centuries. Galeano's writing style offers a poetic and vivid portrayal of the continent's tumultuous past, highlighting the impacts of European colonization, economic domination, and political upheavals on the region. The book covers a broad scope of Latin American history, shedding light on the struggles of the indigenous populations, the influence of foreign powers, and the enduring consequences of these historical events on the present-day socio-political landscape.
When Christopher Columbus headed across the great emptiness west of Christendom, he had accepted the challenge of legend. Terrible storms would play with his ships as if they were nutshells and hurl t... - #8
Save:Perla by Carolina De Robertis is a poignant tale set during Argentina's Dirty War from 1976 to 1983, focusing on Perla, an Argentinian psychology student who encounters a ghost of one of the disappeared from the era. The book skillfully weaves magical realism into the narrative, exploring themes of memory, trauma, and the hidden bond between Perla and the ghost stranger, with a non-linear structure that keeps readers engaged and intrigued.
Some things are impossible for the mind to hold alone. So listen, if you can, with your whole being. The story pushes and demands to be told, here, now, with you so close and the past even closer, bre... - #9
Save:Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a coming-of-age story set in Nigeria, focusing on the life of a young girl named Kambili and her family dynamics. The novel delves into the complexities of privilege, wealth, family dysfunction, and violence, all against the backdrop of an unsettled Nigerian society. The narrative explores the themes of domestic violence, control, religious fanaticism, and the impact of political upheaval on individuals and families.
Papa always sat in the front pew for Mass, at the end beside the middle aisle, with Mama, Jaja, and me sitting next to him. He was first to receive communion. Most people did not kneel to receive comm... - #10
Save:'Sahara' in the 'Dirk Pitt' series by Clive Cussler is an action-packed adventure mystery set in the Sahara desert. The story follows Dirk Pitt and his team as they race against time to prevent an environmental catastrophe caused by pollution threatening the world's seas. Along the way, they encounter villains, navigate through treacherous situations, and uncover historical mysteries related to the Civil War and a long-lost female pilot. The writing style is described as fast-paced, filled with action, and reminiscent of a Hollywood action movie, with larger-than-life characters and thrilling plot twists.
After traveling through the desert for days or weeks, seeing no animals, meeting no humans, civilization, no matter how tiny or primitive, comes as a stunning surprise. To the eleven people in the fiv...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Dirk Pitt )
