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Hilda's Reviews > Memoria de mis putas tristes
Memoria de mis putas tristes (Spanish Edition)
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I really didn't like this story. The writing as always was wonderful - the descriptions, the language, the character development - all excellent. The story however was extremely disturbing and sad.
Chapter 1 in particular, when the narrator describes how upon turning 90 he decided he wanted to have sex with a young virgin was appalling. Then the local madam finds a 14 year old, poor, illiterate girl for him. He goes to see her and finds her asleep because she had been so afraid she had to be sedated. Although he doesn't have sex with her because she's asleep, he describes her naked body in detail - describing her pre-pubescent breasts, etc. It was disgusting and disturbing.
This book wasn't written in a time when this was even discreetly acceptable, it was written in 2004 when it is considered by most societies, certainly Garcia-Marquez's society as taboo. He did it to shock and titillate - well all it did was disgust me. He's a brilliant writer, he doesn't need these gimmicks.
Chapter 1 in particular, when the narrator describes how upon turning 90 he decided he wanted to have sex with a young virgin was appalling. Then the local madam finds a 14 year old, poor, illiterate girl for him. He goes to see her and finds her asleep because she had been so afraid she had to be sedated. Although he doesn't have sex with her because she's asleep, he describes her naked body in detail - describing her pre-pubescent breasts, etc. It was disgusting and disturbing.
This book wasn't written in a time when this was even discreetly acceptable, it was written in 2004 when it is considered by most societies, certainly Garcia-Marquez's society as taboo. He did it to shock and titillate - well all it did was disgust me. He's a brilliant writer, he doesn't need these gimmicks.
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January 27, 2008
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Dr. Libia
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Jan 29, 2008 01:32AM
I totally agree with Hilda. To add something more disturing is that I wrote something very similiar about how disturbing this was and I even mentioned that as a psychotherapist I had issue with the topic. Well, someone emailed me back and attacked me-- basically, questioning what kind of psychotherapist I was and that I could not see the "love" ---glad to read Hilda's review and that I am not crazy. I then think that perhaps the author's own issues are exhibited in his writing.
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WTF you gave twilight eclipse a higher rating???? piece of shit work
Human sexuality and morality is incredibly complex. Just because Marquez writes about a man's desire doesn't mean he condones it. Besides, the whole journey of the novela is to show all the reasons as to why he chooses NOT to sleep with her. What the protagonist goes through is so much more human than anything a vampire or werewolf or wizard would have to offer.
You did not understand the point he was trying to get across. He knew to some(like you) all they were going to understand is that it's "sick", his purpose was deeper then that. Why would such a great writer, write something like that, if there was not something deeper within the book? You did not read it with in open mind...
To the people criticizing your review: all I'll say is that it must be nice to have the privilege not to interact daily with women who have been used and abused like Delgadina and fail to be more concerned with their fate than the protaganist's. That's all.
Holly wrote: "To the people criticizing your review: all I'll say is that it must be nice to have the privilege not to interact daily with women who have been used and abused like Delgadina and fail to be more c..."She wasn't used and abused - she was a VIRGIN! That's the WHOLE point!
I almost envy the section of the population that can enjoy this book because it's just some harmless risqué fun right? People who enjoy not feeling creeped out or violated are such prudes lol
There are a surprising number of pedophilia apologists who want to defend this book in terms of the protagonist's journey, overlooking the journey of a minor, about whom all we know is that she works at a sweatshop during the day and a brothel during the night. Unfortunately she isn't given a voice, and she is only given a name by the possessive protagonist. Marquez's failure to address these complexities are part of what make this an awful book. Also the pedophilia. Anyway, thank you for your review, Hilda!
I can’t believe there is ppl actually defending pedophilia
