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Federico DN's Reviews > El túnel

El túnel by Ernesto Sabato
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bookshelves: classics, fiction, memoir

That effing little window!

Juan Pablo Castel is a lonesome painter obsessed with his paintings, and especially one with a tiny little window that nobody notices. Critics praise him, yet no one understands him. And when during an exhibition Ѳí Iribarne remains stunned watching the little window, Juan convinces himself that for the first time in his life he has finally found someone who can understand him, and save him. This diary is the chronicle of his 'love' ravings, his 'infallible' postulations, and his maddening obsession with his beloved Ѳí; and why he killed her.

This was pretty good. Very interesting to interiorize into the mind of a murderer, and experience from first person perspective his twisted machinations. The first third of the novel was masterful and even funny at times, five-star worth. The crazy thoughts and spontaneous outbursts of Juan were truly amazing. Nevertheless, once he meets Ѳí everything turns much somber and difficult to digest. Juan progressively becoming tedious, posesive and extremely toxic, and most of that original magic gone. But even after losing that marvelous initial impulse, it still keeps interesting enough and moderately gripping until the tragic ending, which by the way I found too abrupt for my liking.

A pretty brief novel, but unique, and very intense. Recommendable. I may read more of the author someday.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1948] [158p] [Fiction] [Classics] [3.5] [Conditional Recommendable] ["I would have to cross the street and make myself available. Could there be anything more grotesque than to expect her to shout across the street to ask how to get somewhere?."]
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¡Esa maldita ventanita!

Juan Pablo Castel un solitario pintor obsesionado con sus cuadros, y especialmente una con una ventanita diminuta que nadie nota. La crítica lo alaba, pero nadie lo entiende. Y cuando durante una exhibición Ѳí Iribarne se queda anonadada observando su ventanita, Juan se convence a sí mismo que por primera vez en su vida finalmente halló alguien que puede entenderlo, y salvarlo. Este diario es la crónica de sus desvaríos 'amorosos', sus 'infalibles' reflexiones y su alocada obsesión por su amada Ѳí; y por qué la mató.

Esto estuvo bastante bueno. Muy interesante para interiorizarse en la mente de un asesino, y experimentar en primera persona sus enrevesadas maquinaciones. El primer tercio de la novela me pareció magistral y hasta gracioso a veces, digno de cinco estrellas. Los locos pensamientos y espontáneos arrebatos de Juan fueron verdaderamente geniales. Sin embargo, una vez que conoce a Ѳí todo se vuelve mucho más sombrío y difícil de digerir. Juan se vuelve progresivamente pesado, posesivo y extremadamente tóxico, y la mayor parte de esa gracia original perdida. Pero incluso después de perder ese maravilloso impulso inicial, igual se mantiene suficientemente interesante y moderadamente atrapante hasta el trágico final, que por cierto se sintió demasiado abrupto para mi gusto.

Una novela bastante breve, pero única, y muy intensa. Recomendable. Tal vez lea algo más del autor algún día.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1948] [158p] [Ficción] [Clásicos] [3.5] [Recomendable Condicional] ["Tenía que cruzar la vereda y acercarme. Nada más grotesco, en efecto, que suponerla pidiéndome a gritos, desde allá, una dirección."]
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Reading Progress

March 18, 2023 – Started Reading
March 18, 2023 – Shelved
March 30, 2023 –
60.0% "Por dios que tipo tóxico!"
April 3, 2023 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 61 (61 new)


ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ I looked it up! My god what a toxic guy!…�.hmmm sounds creepy?


➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas❥ 💋Happy Reading 💕 ツ�


Federico DN ReadAlongWithSue wrote: "I looked it up! My god what a toxic guy!…�.hmmm sounds creepy?"

Creepy, but very good, in a way.


Federico DN ✘Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas❤️� � wrote: "💋Happy Reading 💕 ツ�"

Thank you Paulette! It's not a happy reading, but it's good :p


inciminci Thanks for the review, Fede, this sounds like my thing, I'll get it immediately! 🖤


Federico DN inciminci wrote: "Thanks for the review, Fede, this sounds like my thing, I'll get it immediately! 🖤"

Thank you Inci! It's a bit dark but good I think :p


message 7: by JackieBeau (new) - added it

JackieBeau in a bad reading slump WoW Federico! Fantastic review! Sounds so good!


message 8: by JackieBeau (new) - added it

JackieBeau in a bad reading slump There’s even a movie ! Just looked it up ! It’s with Peter Weller who plays Juan and Jane Seymour!


message 9: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 04:19AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Jackie wrote: "WoW Federico! Fantastic review! Sounds so good!"
"There’s even a movie ! Just looked it up ! It’s with Peter Weller who plays Juan and Jane Seymour!"

Thank you Jackie! Yes there are two movies I believe, but they are both so unknown and critically panned in the reviews that I don't think they are worth watching at all. I usually watch the adaptations but in this case they look like 100% certified duds to me.


message 10: by Debra (new)

Debra Terrific review, Federico!


Federico DN Debra wrote: "Terrific review, Federico!"

Thank you Debra!


Heather Adores Books Fantastic review, Federico!


Federico DN Heather Adores Books wrote: "Fantastic review, Federico!"

Thank you Heather !


message 14: by Alexandra (new)

Alexandra Interesting, but creepy... (maybe too creepy for me ;) ) Good review!


message 15: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 05:21AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Alexandra wrote: "Interesting, but creepy... (maybe too creepy for me ;) ) Good review!"

Is that even possible? Lol, but yeah, it is. Thank you Alexandra :) !


message 16: by Berengaria (new)

Berengaria I've heard (mostly from Mexicans) that this is a Spanish-language classic. I think they all read it in school. Thanks for telling us a little bit about the contents!


message 17: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 07:00AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Berengaria wrote: "I've heard (mostly from Mexicans) that this is a Spanish-language classic. I think they all read it in school. Thanks for telling us a little bit about the contents!"

Very true! I first read it in school and disliked it. I didn't remember a thing and now rereading it I can appreciate this classic much better. Not a favorite, but pretty good nonetheless. Thank you Berengaria!


message 18: by Srivalli (new)

Srivalli Rekha Ohh this sounds interesting. An obsessed painter turned murderer's first-person narration can get on the nerves. Great review, Federico.


message 19: by A. (new) - rated it 5 stars

A. Un gusto leer la reseña, como siempre. Yo sí le puse 5 estrellas, noble Fede. Probablemente porque la leí en la adolescencia y es una de las razones de que ame fuerte la literatura. Después de leer tu reseña, me dieron ganas de releerla.
Que tengas una semana portentosa, interesante, divertida, qué se yo...pasala bien 😉


message 20: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 06:35AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Srivalli wrote: "Ohh this sounds interesting. An obsessed painter turned murderer's first-person narration can get on the nerves. Great review, Federico."

He does tend to get on the nerves sometimes. Thank you Srivalli!


message 21: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 06:40AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN A. wrote: "Un gusto leer la reseña, como siempre. Yo sí le puse 5 estrellas, noble Fede. Probablemente porque la leí en la adolescencia y es una de las razones de que ame fuerte la literatura. Después de leer..."

Muchas gracias estimada Lady A.! Me alegra que lo haya disfrutado tanto y que esta joyita argenta encendiera su pasión por la lectura. Espero que la disfrute en demasía si decide volverla a leer. Que pase una venturosa semana ud también :D !


message 22: by Diane (new)

Diane Wallace Very good review, Federico! ;)


Federico DN Diane wrote: "Very good review, Federico! ;)"

Thank you Diane !


Southern Lady Reads Great review Federico! lol I can really tell this one made you feel something which is always a good sign !


Federico DN Southern Lady Reads wrote: "Great review Federico! lol I can really tell this one made you feel something which is always a good sign !"

Thank you SLR! Some mixed feelings here but always nice to feel something :D


message 26: by Chantel (new)

Chantel Awesome review! The approach to this subject matter would certainly have to be well-done to be successful :) I'm glad to see that the author did their due diligence with this!


message 27: by Jan (new)

Jan Besides being unique and very intense, this sounds dark. Right up my alley! Fab review, Federico.


ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ Dark soulful read I suspect. Not keen by the abrupt ending


Federico DN Chantel wrote: "Awesome review! The approach to this subject matter would certainly have to be well-done to be successful :) I'm glad to see that the author did their due diligence with this!"

Thank you Chantel! It's a well renowned spanish classic and an international bestseller in its time :)


Federico DN Jan wrote: "Besides being unique and very intense, this sounds dark. Right up my alley! Fab review, Federico."

Thank you Jan! It turns very dark and very intense xD


message 31: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 08:16AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN ReadAlongWithSue wrote: "Dark soulful read I suspect. Not keen by the abrupt ending"

Thank you Sue! Some endings are like that, what is there to do but complain :p


message 32: by Thibault (new)

Thibault Busschots Sounds like quite an obsessed kind of love that transitions into drama. The tunnel vision also kind of speaks for itself. Good review, Federico.


message 33: by Tina (new)

Tina A wonderful review!! 🤩


Federico DN Thibault wrote: "Sounds like quite an obsessed kind of love that transitions into drama. The tunnel vision also kind of speaks for itself. Good review, Federico."

Obsessed is the word. Thank you Thibault !


Federico DN Tina wrote: "A wonderful review!! 🤩"

Thank you Tina :) !


message 36: by Ѳí (new) - rated it 5 stars

Ѳí Carpio Muy bien poner el detalle de la ventanita.


message 37: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 11:00AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Ѳí wrote: "Muy bien poner el detalle de la ventanita."

Infaltable detalle! Es más creo firmemente que el mensaje principal de esta obra magistral de Sabato es que nunca en la vida debemos mirar fijamente una ventanita.

Ah sí y no darle cabida a las personas tóxicas, claro.


message 38: by Ѳí (new) - rated it 5 stars

Ѳí Carpio Infaltable detalle! Es más creo firmemente que el mensaje principal de esta obra magistral de Sabato es que nunca en la vida debemos mirar..."

Jajajja, total! Es parecida a la historia de John Lennon y Yoko Ono. John fue a una exposición artistica de Yoko. Una obra era una especie de puerta/ventana al la que se accedía por una escalera. John sube, abre la puerta y mira adentro. Decía: "Sí". Entonces decidió que era Yoko la mujer de su vida (ese rato la conoció), porque si la ventanita decía "no", entonces chao. Jaja tal como Juan Pablo Castell, John Lennon sintió que Yoko le entendía al haber hecho esa obra/ventanita.


message 39: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 11:21AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Ѳí wrote: "Jajajja, total! Es parecida a la historia de John Lennon y Yoko Ono. John fue a una exposición artistica de Yoko. Una obra era una especie de puerta/ventana al la que se accedía por una escalera..."

No sabía que así se conocieron. Pero tiene mucho sentido, por eso después lo mató el otro tipo obsesivo de un balazo. Como mataron a Ѳí. No se jode con las ventanitas.


Myriam V Tremendo libro, cuando era joven me voló la cabeza y le hubiera dado cinco estrellas, pero lo relei hace un par de años porque lo leyó mi hija en el colegio y lo comentamos y yo me puse más quisquillosa pero a mi hija le encantó, parece que no pierde vigencia. No sabía lo de Yoko Ono que cuenta Ѳí y nunca había pensado en la peligrosidad de las ventanitas, sirva esta reseña de advertencia.


message 41: by Federico (last edited Apr 03, 2023 12:15PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Myriam wrote: "Tremendo libro, cuando era joven me voló la cabeza y le hubiera dado cinco estrellas, pero lo relei hace un par de años porque lo leyó mi hija en el colegio y lo comentamos y yo me puse más quisqui..."

Gracias Myriam! Me alegra que a vos también te haya gustado! Este clásico no pierde vigencia. Salvando las diferencias tecnológicas y contextuales creo que Castel detalle más detalle menos podría representar cualquier femicida de la actualidad. A tener cuidado con las ventanitas!


message 42: by Barbara (new)

Barbara Sounds intriguing, Federico. I enjoyed your review.


message 43: by Ѳí (new) - rated it 5 stars

Ѳí Carpio Ya lo dice la canción: "Desde que me dejaste, la ventanita del amor se me cerró..."


Myriam V Ѳí wrote: "Ya lo dice la canción: "Desde que me dejaste, la ventanita del amor se me cerró...""

Jajaja, sí, pensé en esa canción, creí que la conocíamos acá solamente.


Federico DN Barbara wrote: "Sounds intriguing, Federico. I enjoyed your review."

It's good, dark, but good. Thank you Barbara!


Federico DN Ѳí wrote: "Ya lo dice la canción: "Desde que me dejaste, la ventanita del amor se me cerró...""

Excelente canción para acompañar este libro jajajaj


message 47: by A (new)

A Mac Sounds like an interesting and dark read, and from a POV not often told. Glad this one was so enjoyable for you, Federico! Great review.


Federico DN A wrote: "Sounds like an interesting and dark read, and from a POV not often told. Glad this one was so enjoyable for you, Federico! Great review."

A famous spanish classic. Thank you Mac!


message 49: by Connie (new) - added it

Connie Sounds very intriguing and dark. I'll have to search for the English translation. Great review!


message 50: by Karen (new)

Karen Oh wow! You spoiled it and I still want to read it, haha! That's a great review! 🙂 It kind of reminds me of The Collector by John Fowles. That was crazy and good.


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