Comments on: Roberto Bolaño: Monsieur Pain

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:23:58 +0000

It may be possible to predict whether someone will enjoy this based on their reaction to the film “Mulholland Drive”

I loved Mulholland Drive, Joe. I think I watched in five times in the matter of just a few weeks. And I actually think I came to a rather fulfilling explanation for the show. I haven't had that luck with all of Bolaño's writing yet, but whatever it was that drove me to watch Mulholland Drive so many times is, I believe you're right, the same thing that keeps me reading Bolaño.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:11:45 +0000

I just read this one. I loved getting lost in the story and the language. It may be possible to predict whether someone will enjoy this based on their reaction to the film “Mulholland Drive” — somehow I always end up reading Bolaño in the same way I watch a David Lynch film. In any case, when I finished the book I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it (or even partially sure) but every step of the journey was completely engaging.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:31:45 +0000

I think my experience with Bolano is about the same as yours with Monsieur Pain, Guy. When I finished my first book, I had no idea what to think. It became better and better in time, staying in my memory, refusing to let go. I find I now crave his writing. Which is too bad because I don’t believe I have much more of it left, and the more substantial pieces have been made available.

By: Guy Savage

Guy Savage — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:24:03 +0000

Trevor:
I didn’t know quite what to make of the novel at first as the plot unravels quite alarmingly. After getting some distance from it, I find that I admire its style–unusual for me as I am not a great fan of surrealism.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:11:21 +0000

I'd love to hear your thoughts on By Night in Chile, Wilson. I have been holding off on The Savage Detectives myself, actually. At first, it was because I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy it. Now, I'm pretty confident I will enjoy it, so I'm delaying the pleasure a bit by read the shorter books first. I still have Amulet to read, and then I think I'll plunge in.

By: Wilson Knut

Wilson Knut — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:22:47 +0000

I have Savage Detectives sitting on the to be read shelf, but have not yet found the courage to begin it. From what you write, I may try By Night in Chile first.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:32:30 +0000

Guy, from other comments you've posted I think you'd also be pleasantly introduced to Bolano in By Night in Chile. My first two were 2666 and Nazi Lit. They were easy to read because there is so much energy in the prose, but I wasn't fulfilled with either of them. They sit better in my mind now that I have read more, but they certainly weren't great places to jump on board with Bolano. I'd definitely like to hear your thoughts on them, with your knowledge of Modern lit.

By: Guy Savage

Guy Savage — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:39:03 +0000

I’m one of those readers who’s curious about Bolano but still not quite sure if I’d enjoy his books. I’ve read reviews of 2066, the Savage Detectives and recently the Nazi literature in the Americas. After all this I still haven’t been sure about taking the plunge. Monsieur Pain sounds like something I’d enjoy. Thanks for taking the time.