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Among the Lost
In the desolate wastelands between the sierra and the jungle, under an all-seeing, unforgiving sun, a single day unfolds as relentlessly as those that have gone before. People are trafficked and brutalised, illegal migrants are cheated of their money, their dreams, their very names, even as countless others scrabble to cross the border, trying to reach a land they call El Paraíso.
In this grim inferno, a fierce love has blossomed — one that was born in pain and cruelty, and one that will live or die on this day. Estela and Epitafio too were trafficked, they grew together in the brutal orphanage, fell in love, but were ripped apart. They have played an ugly role in the very system that abused them, and done the bidding of the brutal old priest for too long. They have traded in migrants, put children to work as slaves, hacked off limbs and lives without a thought, though they have never forgotten the memory of their own shackles.
Like the immigrants whose hopes they extinguish, they long to be free; free to be together and alone. Here in an unnamed land that could be a Mexico reimagined by Breughel and Dante, on the border between purgatory and inferno, where Paradise is the mouth of hell and cruelty the only currency, lives are spent, bartered and indentured for it. Must all be bankrupt among the lost?
In this grim inferno, a fierce love has blossomed — one that was born in pain and cruelty, and one that will live or die on this day. Estela and Epitafio too were trafficked, they grew together in the brutal orphanage, fell in love, but were ripped apart. They have played an ugly role in the very system that abused them, and done the bidding of the brutal old priest for too long. They have traded in migrants, put children to work as slaves, hacked off limbs and lives without a thought, though they have never forgotten the memory of their own shackles.
Like the immigrants whose hopes they extinguish, they long to be free; free to be together and alone. Here in an unnamed land that could be a Mexico reimagined by Breughel and Dante, on the border between purgatory and inferno, where Paradise is the mouth of hell and cruelty the only currency, lives are spent, bartered and indentured for it. Must all be bankrupt among the lost?
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2015
About the author
Emiliano Monge
20 books109 followersNació el 6 de enero de 1978 en Ciudad de México. Estudió Ciencias Políticas en la UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), donde luego impartió clases hasta que se trasladó a vivir a Barcelona, España. Ha publicado el libro de relatos Arrastrar esa sombra (2008, Sexto Piso) y la novela Morirse de memoria (2010, Sexto Piso), ambos finalistas del Premio Antonin Artaud. Después llegarían El cielo árido (2012), Las tierras arrasadas (Literatura Random House, 2015), ganadora del IX Premio Iberoamericano de Novela Elena Poniatowska; La superficie más honda (Literatura Random House, 2017) y No contar todo (Literatura Random House, 2018).
Ha colaborado con diversos medios impresos, entre los que destacan El País, Letras Libres, Reforma y Gatopardo, y ha trabajado como editor de libros y revistas. En dos ocasiones (2008-09 y 2010-11) ha sido beneficiario del Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, del mexicano Conaculta, y en 2011 fue seleccionado por la Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (FIL) como uno de los 25 escritores secretos más importantes de América Latina. Es, además, el último miembro de la Orden del Finnegans.
Ha colaborado con diversos medios impresos, entre los que destacan El País, Letras Libres, Reforma y Gatopardo, y ha trabajado como editor de libros y revistas. En dos ocasiones (2008-09 y 2010-11) ha sido beneficiario del Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, del mexicano Conaculta, y en 2011 fue seleccionado por la Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (FIL) como uno de los 25 escritores secretos más importantes de América Latina. Es, además, el último miembro de la Orden del Finnegans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 25, 2016
Estoy todavía temblando de la impresión con este libro. Es alucinante de verdad.
La prosa de Emiliano Monge no tiene frenos, es cruda, y apocalíptica, entras sin saber en dónde te estás metiendo.
Pero también es musical, tiene un ritmo propio, parece estar escrita en otra lengua.
Cuando empecé a leerlo, sentía que me movían el tapete, y tuve que parar un poco para no marearme.
Las situaciones son todas terribles, no hay compasión por nadie, la tensión con la que abre la novela no descansa nunca, así llega al final, lo único es el amor de los dos locos de Epitafio y Estela, y a la vez son parte de el terror.
Una visión apocalíptica, que es aún más terrorífica al saber que es real. Este es el mundo al que entran los migrantes que llegan a México, el "último holocausto" , en donde no hay ley, no hay escape posible. Esta es la tragedia moderna, con todos sus elementos, con el sufrimiento, con la muerte, el peligro, donde no hay compasión.
Imprescindible, desbocado, tremendo.
"Aunque alguno hay que aún quisiera defenderse diciendo algo, cualquier cosa, las palabras de los seres que perderán también muy pronto el nombre se deshacen antes de llegar a ser pensadas."
La prosa de Emiliano Monge no tiene frenos, es cruda, y apocalíptica, entras sin saber en dónde te estás metiendo.
Pero también es musical, tiene un ritmo propio, parece estar escrita en otra lengua.
Cuando empecé a leerlo, sentía que me movían el tapete, y tuve que parar un poco para no marearme.
Las situaciones son todas terribles, no hay compasión por nadie, la tensión con la que abre la novela no descansa nunca, así llega al final, lo único es el amor de los dos locos de Epitafio y Estela, y a la vez son parte de el terror.
Una visión apocalíptica, que es aún más terrorífica al saber que es real. Este es el mundo al que entran los migrantes que llegan a México, el "último holocausto" , en donde no hay ley, no hay escape posible. Esta es la tragedia moderna, con todos sus elementos, con el sufrimiento, con la muerte, el peligro, donde no hay compasión.
Imprescindible, desbocado, tremendo.
"Aunque alguno hay que aún quisiera defenderse diciendo algo, cualquier cosa, las palabras de los seres que perderán también muy pronto el nombre se deshacen antes de llegar a ser pensadas."
May 7, 2019
Epitafio and Estela are victims of human trafficking who now traffic humans themselves. The novel is fierce and scenes are shocking and yet what drives the novel even so are the human relationships. Monge makes it very hard to sympathize with his characters, but he allows us to forgive them because it's clear they aren't inherently cruel; their poverty and their lack of real choices traps them in a nightmare world. The style here is vivid and cinematic and relentless, with the unbearable leavened at unexpected times with dark humor. A challenging book to love, but worth the challenge.
June 9, 2019
Una historia durísima de 72 personas sin voz y sin nombre.
February 18, 2020
Esta novela está muy fuera de mi zona de confort, y me gusta salir de vez en cuando de ella e investigar qué hay por ahí.
Tengo sentimientos encontrados. Está muy bien escrita y el tema que se trata es muy duro. Me ha parecido muy interesante toda la trama de Epitafeo y Estela, y todas las personas de las que se "encargan", pero hay partes que se me han hecho extremadamente pesadas y repetitivas.
Volveré a leer al autor quizás sobre otro tema para conocer un poco más su obra.
Tengo sentimientos encontrados. Está muy bien escrita y el tema que se trata es muy duro. Me ha parecido muy interesante toda la trama de Epitafeo y Estela, y todas las personas de las que se "encargan", pero hay partes que se me han hecho extremadamente pesadas y repetitivas.
Volveré a leer al autor quizás sobre otro tema para conocer un poco más su obra.
March 6, 2018
Lo intenté, juro que lo intenté; más de una vez estuve tentada a dejar el libro, pero las recomendaciones me obligaron a seguir esforzándome en leerlo y conseguir algo que rescatar en él, pero no lo conseguí. Mientras lo leía no podía dejar de compararlo con la muy simple pero contundente escritura de otros escritores mexicanos jóvenes como Yuri Herrera u obras de teatro excelentes sobre la migración mexicana a USA, que realmente me llegaron al alma.
No sé si el estilo de escritura sea un homenaje o guiño a grandes escritores mexicanos o latinoamericanos, pero a mi me resultó extremadamente pesado, redundante e innecesariamente adornado. Para muestra un botón:
Los personajes, todos los personajes, me resultaron detestables, hasta los dos niños de la selva. Y no entendí la manía de cambiar el nombre de los personajes por largos apodos, en lugar de los lapidarios nombres con que se identifican al inicio (Epitafio, Sepelio, Mausoleo).
Un largo trecho en el libro estuve intentando entender a que se referían los párrafos en cursiva, ¿citas de otros textos como la Divina Comedia?, ¿trozos de canciones o poesías mexicanas?, ¿fragmentos de entrevistas o diarios de emigrantes ilegales?. No lo sé, nunca logré aclararlo en la lectura.
Un libro que no le hace honor a ese tema tan interesante y difícil como es la desesperación del que decide pasar ilegalmente la frontera buscando un mejor futuro para sí y su familia, la brutal explotación que de ellos hacen los coyotes, la industria informal que se teje en torno a esta explotación y la deshumanización de todos los involucrados, que convierten esa esperanza en muerte.
No sé si el estilo de escritura sea un homenaje o guiño a grandes escritores mexicanos o latinoamericanos, pero a mi me resultó extremadamente pesado, redundante e innecesariamente adornado. Para muestra un botón:
"En la distancia, horadando el silencio invulnerable que aquí torna aún más hondas y más lentas a las horas, suena el motor de un vehículo que rueda hacia este sitio"
Los personajes, todos los personajes, me resultaron detestables, hasta los dos niños de la selva. Y no entendí la manía de cambiar el nombre de los personajes por largos apodos, en lugar de los lapidarios nombres con que se identifican al inicio (Epitafio, Sepelio, Mausoleo).
Un largo trecho en el libro estuve intentando entender a que se referían los párrafos en cursiva, ¿citas de otros textos como la Divina Comedia?, ¿trozos de canciones o poesías mexicanas?, ¿fragmentos de entrevistas o diarios de emigrantes ilegales?. No lo sé, nunca logré aclararlo en la lectura.
Un libro que no le hace honor a ese tema tan interesante y difícil como es la desesperación del que decide pasar ilegalmente la frontera buscando un mejor futuro para sí y su familia, la brutal explotación que de ellos hacen los coyotes, la industria informal que se teje en torno a esta explotación y la deshumanización de todos los involucrados, que convierten esa esperanza en muerte.
June 5, 2020
The story is harrowing. People trying to cross an unknown border are captured by coyotes and human traffickers. Their story is a back-page to the slowly moving but enviable fates of the two traffickers - Estela and Epitafio who are being double crossed by even more brutal characters.
While the story is bleak what makes this book is the writing. There's a certain rhythm, a use of names such as HewholovesEstela that gives the characters real character and a scarcity of words that fill the silence of events. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
While the story is bleak what makes this book is the writing. There's a certain rhythm, a use of names such as HewholovesEstela that gives the characters real character and a scarcity of words that fill the silence of events. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
June 24, 2017
La realidad incómoda más allá de los Narcos mexicanos pasa pr el tráfico de inmigrantes.
Un libro terrible y necesario
http://entremontonesdelibros.blogspot...
Un libro terrible y necesario
http://entremontonesdelibros.blogspot...
May 23, 2022
4.5/5 ⭐️ oscuro,violento y fuerte. Medio puntito menos porque por ratos se vuelve difícil seguirlo.
July 31, 2024
Emiliano Monge’s Among the Lost (solidly translated by Frank Wynne) is a challenging read. I’ll admit that I considered giving up on this book because it was so harrowing, especially since it contains excerpts from people who have been taken by coyotes and human traffickers in Central America. But I felt like I owed it to the victims to listen by finishing the book. So many people didn’t survive to tell their stories. Monge’s novel shows the perspective of two human traffickers, Epitafio and Estela, and floods readers with information that we have to piece together to figure out what’s going on as one of their runs turns into an apocalyptic disaster...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
June 28, 2017
Es un libro maravilloso, un libro terrible y un libro necesario.
Usando una de las prosas mas bellas, nos transporta a un mundo ficticio y real. Un mundo cruel sin finales felices, en donde la esperanza, la dignidad y la humanidad se quedan en la puerta.
Pocas veces me topo con una joya de este calibre. Este libro es una bala en todos los sentidos, va a penetrar nuestro sentido literario por su prosa y nuestros corazones por la historia.
Usando una de las prosas mas bellas, nos transporta a un mundo ficticio y real. Un mundo cruel sin finales felices, en donde la esperanza, la dignidad y la humanidad se quedan en la puerta.
Pocas veces me topo con una joya de este calibre. Este libro es una bala en todos los sentidos, va a penetrar nuestro sentido literario por su prosa y nuestros corazones por la historia.
June 25, 2020
Quien migra no lo hace por voluntad propia, es una forma de supervivencia. A veces para describir las experiencias y los dramas humanos se necesita de algo que conecte diferentes voces y perspectivas. Las tierras arrasadas resulta ser un relato desgarrador pero profundo, tal como la compleja humanidad.
Read
July 29, 2019This is a book of unbearable beauty and affliction. It is written with the lucidity of someone who has opened his eyes and refused to shut them again. The book’s power is not only in what it says, but in the silences that it leaves the reader’s conscience to grapple with.
Yuri Herrera
Among the Lost is masterly. Its rhythm and syntax form an unforgettable, multilayered requiem for our battered region.
Valeria Luiselli
It’s a brilliantly composed, dramatic and unflinching evocation of a world riven by endemic violence and extreme feeling, and an astute (if apocalyptic) road trip into the psychology of abuse.
Cameron Woodhead, The Age
A fierce love story … Monge’s narrative plants the reader in this dirty and tumultuous foreign land in a way that is artistically and cleverly shackling, and the resultant piece is an important insight into the horrific realities of people-trafficking in South America … An important read.
Ronan Gerrard, The London Magazine
Emiliano Monge’s concussive new novel is a love story. It’s also a blood-drenched journey through a world where kindness has been obliterated and almost every moral code shredded … its emotional ferocity is astonishing. You feel appalled, compromised, profoundly moved.You wish the US President would read it. Or read, full stop.’
David Hill, Weekend Herald
A timely novel of immigration that is as beautiful as it is horrific. It is a multilayered, emotionally complex artistic triumph.
Rebecca Hussey, Foreword Reviews
A dark vision of life on the border between the inferno and an imagined paradise, this book paints an all too real picture of what people will do for a new life. FOUR STARS
Mitch Mott, Adelaide Advertiser
In a remarkable literary feat, this tale of the dire events of one day illuminates the past, the present, and the future. While many questions remain unanswered at the end, this is a comprehensive drama of the human potential for violence and dreams in a fractured land.
Shoot Viswanathan, Booklist
The language in Among the Lost is both striking and strikingly easy to read … He channels the full spectrum of written expression, and the result hits the trifecta: beautiful, fast-paced, and completely his own.
Lily Meyer, NPR
A cunning and often powerful novel.
Adam Rivett, Weekend Australian
To read Among the Lost is to be trapped in, to borrow another Mongian phrase, a “cage of light” — a Goyaesque picture of the Central American exodus, and the horrors some migrants pass through along the transit routes in Mexico.
The Nation
This is one of the darkest books I have ever read, and one of the most powerful ... an emotionally-wrenching experience and also essential reading for those who want to think deeply about migration and human rights.
Bookriot
Blending a sense of the archetypal with a deeply contemporary story, Among the Lost is an utterly harrowing read that takes numerous artistic and structural risks across its pages ... It’s a grand and unsettling work.
Words Without Borders, ‘The Watchlist: June 2019’
Atmospheric and chilling.
Mark Athitakis, On the Seawall
Yuri Herrera
Among the Lost is masterly. Its rhythm and syntax form an unforgettable, multilayered requiem for our battered region.
Valeria Luiselli
It’s a brilliantly composed, dramatic and unflinching evocation of a world riven by endemic violence and extreme feeling, and an astute (if apocalyptic) road trip into the psychology of abuse.
Cameron Woodhead, The Age
A fierce love story … Monge’s narrative plants the reader in this dirty and tumultuous foreign land in a way that is artistically and cleverly shackling, and the resultant piece is an important insight into the horrific realities of people-trafficking in South America … An important read.
Ronan Gerrard, The London Magazine
Emiliano Monge’s concussive new novel is a love story. It’s also a blood-drenched journey through a world where kindness has been obliterated and almost every moral code shredded … its emotional ferocity is astonishing. You feel appalled, compromised, profoundly moved.You wish the US President would read it. Or read, full stop.’
David Hill, Weekend Herald
A timely novel of immigration that is as beautiful as it is horrific. It is a multilayered, emotionally complex artistic triumph.
Rebecca Hussey, Foreword Reviews
A dark vision of life on the border between the inferno and an imagined paradise, this book paints an all too real picture of what people will do for a new life. FOUR STARS
Mitch Mott, Adelaide Advertiser
In a remarkable literary feat, this tale of the dire events of one day illuminates the past, the present, and the future. While many questions remain unanswered at the end, this is a comprehensive drama of the human potential for violence and dreams in a fractured land.
Shoot Viswanathan, Booklist
The language in Among the Lost is both striking and strikingly easy to read … He channels the full spectrum of written expression, and the result hits the trifecta: beautiful, fast-paced, and completely his own.
Lily Meyer, NPR
A cunning and often powerful novel.
Adam Rivett, Weekend Australian
To read Among the Lost is to be trapped in, to borrow another Mongian phrase, a “cage of light” — a Goyaesque picture of the Central American exodus, and the horrors some migrants pass through along the transit routes in Mexico.
The Nation
This is one of the darkest books I have ever read, and one of the most powerful ... an emotionally-wrenching experience and also essential reading for those who want to think deeply about migration and human rights.
Bookriot
Blending a sense of the archetypal with a deeply contemporary story, Among the Lost is an utterly harrowing read that takes numerous artistic and structural risks across its pages ... It’s a grand and unsettling work.
Words Without Borders, ‘The Watchlist: June 2019’
Atmospheric and chilling.
Mark Athitakis, On the Seawall
February 15, 2019
What a weird book. I requested an ARC of the English translation from a giveaway listed on Library Thing, but I probably should have skipped this one. The whole story, and all the characters were just too vague. I liked the idea of the premise, which was inspired by the Divine Comedy by Dante. But nothing was explained well enough that I fully understood what was going on. Every character was an utterly despicable specimen, and because I didn't understand who they were, or what led them to become who they were I didn't care what ended up happening to any of them.
I'm having a heck of time trying to describe this book, partly because I didn't care what happened in it, and partly because it was so oddly told. The gist of the story was a day in the life of a group of human traffickers. As in people who steal other people, then torture them into submission, then sell them for money. Oh, and rape all the women along the way as the mood strikes them. The setting is a kind of hazy mashup of many stereotypes of Central American settings. There's rocky deserts. A dense jungle. A lot of dust. Bad roads. People traveling in a northward direction seeking El Paraiso, but finding only El Infierno. I gather much of this story was inspired by true events, as throughout the story there are descriptions of the trials and tortures of people who are desperate to leave their Infiernos for even a glimmer of Paraisos. These were taken from interviews conducted by the author, Emiliano Monge who is a journalist in Mexico. It's possible that he was trying to give humanity to the captors of these people, but he didn't give enough of a backstory for it to matter.
I didn't hate reading this book, but it did feel like a chore to get through. I also probably wouldn't recommend this to people since it seems so inaccessible. The good thing about this book is that it pulls no punches with describing the horrors faced by those who we in the United States call "undocumented immigrants." If I thought it might a shine a real light on the things these people face I might force people to read it, but it just doesn't hit that note.
I'm having a heck of time trying to describe this book, partly because I didn't care what happened in it, and partly because it was so oddly told. The gist of the story was a day in the life of a group of human traffickers. As in people who steal other people, then torture them into submission, then sell them for money. Oh, and rape all the women along the way as the mood strikes them. The setting is a kind of hazy mashup of many stereotypes of Central American settings. There's rocky deserts. A dense jungle. A lot of dust. Bad roads. People traveling in a northward direction seeking El Paraiso, but finding only El Infierno. I gather much of this story was inspired by true events, as throughout the story there are descriptions of the trials and tortures of people who are desperate to leave their Infiernos for even a glimmer of Paraisos. These were taken from interviews conducted by the author, Emiliano Monge who is a journalist in Mexico. It's possible that he was trying to give humanity to the captors of these people, but he didn't give enough of a backstory for it to matter.
I didn't hate reading this book, but it did feel like a chore to get through. I also probably wouldn't recommend this to people since it seems so inaccessible. The good thing about this book is that it pulls no punches with describing the horrors faced by those who we in the United States call "undocumented immigrants." If I thought it might a shine a real light on the things these people face I might force people to read it, but it just doesn't hit that note.
December 4, 2018
I finally finished this book. It’s taken me nearly over two weeks. Now that I have finally finished I don’t know how I feel about this book. On one had I thought it was interesting and enjoyable but on the other I was confused as to what was happening and what it was about.
The theme of this book was very interesting but while reading I found the book became a heavy and boring read. This was probably because as I read through the book I would get excited that something interesting was about to happen, but it would all fizzle out and nothing happened. I found this to happen quite a bit in the book and in the end I just got tired of it and had to take a break from the book.
The book was originally written in Spanish/Mexican but has been translated into English by Frank Wynne. Although beautifully translated I did find that I had to concentrate pretty hard to read and digest what was happening. By the end of this book I had re-read quite a few paragraphs over and over again.
On a positive, I absolute loved the front cover of this book. I think it’s so cool.
Overall I feel this book was a little wasted on me and is better suited for other readers who are into these types of books. Saying that I think I would try another book by this author in the future.
I would like to thank Scribe UK for sending me a paperback in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The theme of this book was very interesting but while reading I found the book became a heavy and boring read. This was probably because as I read through the book I would get excited that something interesting was about to happen, but it would all fizzle out and nothing happened. I found this to happen quite a bit in the book and in the end I just got tired of it and had to take a break from the book.
The book was originally written in Spanish/Mexican but has been translated into English by Frank Wynne. Although beautifully translated I did find that I had to concentrate pretty hard to read and digest what was happening. By the end of this book I had re-read quite a few paragraphs over and over again.
On a positive, I absolute loved the front cover of this book. I think it’s so cool.
Overall I feel this book was a little wasted on me and is better suited for other readers who are into these types of books. Saying that I think I would try another book by this author in the future.
I would like to thank Scribe UK for sending me a paperback in return for an honest and unbiased review.
August 5, 2021
Demasiado denso para mi gusto. No pude terminarlo, aunque leí 80 páginas, demasiadas, creo. Le daré alguna nueva oportunidad a Monge ya que me consta es un gran escritor, pero este libro se me hizo bola.
February 4, 2020
De lo más interesante que he leído en español en un tiempo, ambicioso y poético pero tan pesado de leer en tiempos que dudo que pueda enganchar a muchos.
January 29, 2022
Es la primera novela que leo de Emiliano Monge. Tengo sentimientos encontrados: por un lado amo que haya trabajado tanto con el uso del lenguaje y las expresiones, pero al mismo tiempo eso complica un poco la lectura fluida. A veces hasta parece que hubiera trabajado en la sonoridad de las frases que utiliza.
La historia de violencia, crimen, narco, tráfico de personas y corrupción nunca me atrapó del todo. Es un retrato de algo terrible que nunca sentí que realmente fuera terrible, como si supiera que se trataba sólo de una ficción y por eso no me impactara tanto. Lo mejor de la historia es el amor brusco, tosco y torpe de Estela y Epitafio; me parece enternecedor dentro de toda la maldad que retrata.
Sufrí un poco este libro y lo acabé contra mi voluntad y convicción de no terminar lo que no me gusta.
La historia de violencia, crimen, narco, tráfico de personas y corrupción nunca me atrapó del todo. Es un retrato de algo terrible que nunca sentí que realmente fuera terrible, como si supiera que se trataba sólo de una ficción y por eso no me impactara tanto. Lo mejor de la historia es el amor brusco, tosco y torpe de Estela y Epitafio; me parece enternecedor dentro de toda la maldad que retrata.
Sufrí un poco este libro y lo acabé contra mi voluntad y convicción de no terminar lo que no me gusta.
February 16, 2019
4 out of 5 stars
There are times when I finish a book and wonder what the hell I just read---was it truly brilliant or merely crap adorned with random acts of brilliancy?
In the case of Among the Lost by Emiliano Monge, I can honestly say I'm not sure, but I liked it.
The stark narrative involves human trafficking and illegal immigration, a hot-button issue nowadays. Among the Lost does not go into the politics, rather it goes to the underbelly, the reality that mainstream media usually doesn't acknowledge. There are those wishing for a better life and willing to pay, only to find out their life is payment. There are the traffickers and their "employees" and a sadistic priest as well. Strangely enough, there is also a love story between two of those who "survived" and now find themselves wanting the same freedom that those they kidnap and trade wanted as well.
Surreal, disturbing, and dark. And I totally recommend.
Thank you to librarything Early Reviewers giveaways and Scribe Publications for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
There are times when I finish a book and wonder what the hell I just read---was it truly brilliant or merely crap adorned with random acts of brilliancy?
In the case of Among the Lost by Emiliano Monge, I can honestly say I'm not sure, but I liked it.
The stark narrative involves human trafficking and illegal immigration, a hot-button issue nowadays. Among the Lost does not go into the politics, rather it goes to the underbelly, the reality that mainstream media usually doesn't acknowledge. There are those wishing for a better life and willing to pay, only to find out their life is payment. There are the traffickers and their "employees" and a sadistic priest as well. Strangely enough, there is also a love story between two of those who "survived" and now find themselves wanting the same freedom that those they kidnap and trade wanted as well.
Surreal, disturbing, and dark. And I totally recommend.
Thank you to librarything Early Reviewers giveaways and Scribe Publications for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 14, 2023
This was a hard read. I’m not sure if it’s because it is the translated version of the original which is in Spanish? But it’s just a bit jarring. It’s a love story in the most…weird and just fucked up time. I thought it would cover and be in more details of tougher subject matters…but it was hard to just swallow.
December 5, 2018
So I've tried to go a bit highbrow with some of my reading this year, and there's been some duds, to be fair, but so far this isn't one of them. I read Anna Burns'
Milkman
, because it won the Man Booker prize, and it's become one of my favourite books ever, the little experimental touches being what made it for me. Among the Lost is similar, in that respect, I guess.
It's the story of one day, and of a couple who are awful, and Jesus Christ, they're horrible people, but they love each other, and that's what makes them bearable when nothing else does. Its experimental, with quotes from Dante's Inferno and the Bible, and more chillingly, from real trafficked people, highlighting the real life horrors that exist behind the fiction. The quotes are woven through the prose, so the whole thing is almost poetic as you read it.
And like it's a horrible story too, because obviously it's not dealing with a nice topic, but it's real, and it's shitty. More than shitty, and as illegal immigration is one of those Big Issues at the moment, maybe it's vital we view the people involved as more than just a 'swarm'. Monge deals with the topic brutally, yet empathetically, and leaves you with a deeper sense of understanding of the topic.
And maybe I'm making it all sound a bit serious, because for all it's dealing with a difficult topic, it's actually kind of funny in parts, and more than that, it's an enjoyable read, and well worth the time spent on it. Definitely recommend.
It's the story of one day, and of a couple who are awful, and Jesus Christ, they're horrible people, but they love each other, and that's what makes them bearable when nothing else does. Its experimental, with quotes from Dante's Inferno and the Bible, and more chillingly, from real trafficked people, highlighting the real life horrors that exist behind the fiction. The quotes are woven through the prose, so the whole thing is almost poetic as you read it.
And like it's a horrible story too, because obviously it's not dealing with a nice topic, but it's real, and it's shitty. More than shitty, and as illegal immigration is one of those Big Issues at the moment, maybe it's vital we view the people involved as more than just a 'swarm'. Monge deals with the topic brutally, yet empathetically, and leaves you with a deeper sense of understanding of the topic.
And maybe I'm making it all sound a bit serious, because for all it's dealing with a difficult topic, it's actually kind of funny in parts, and more than that, it's an enjoyable read, and well worth the time spent on it. Definitely recommend.
December 13, 2018
Deep in the sweltering jungle in an unnamed country that is in large part Mexico and in even larger part hell on earth, a motley group of immigrants, only the latest of many such groups, trudge forward according to the commands of the people smugglers who have promised to guide them to Paraiso, the land of their dreams. Of course, anyone who would traffic in human beings is clearly not to be trusted and the immigrants are soon betrayed, rounded up and beaten, some fatally, before being loaded onto trucks and transported like cattle towards some horrifying future.
The circumstances of the immigrants are shaped by some truly terrible people. First, there are Epitafio and Estela, the star-crossed lovers of the story, who are both violent, volatile and utterly ruthless. The pair share just one redeeming quality: they really do love each other. It’s not possible to like them though, not even after learning that they too were both trafficked when they were very young, taken to the orphanage run by the execrable Father Nicho and brutalised until they eventually grew to be his trusted lieutenants. It was Father Nicho that separated them, forcing Epitafio to marry Osaria, who he regularly beats, erroneously blaming her for being separated from his true love. They have certainly led hard lives thus far, but they’re still despicable people
Then there are the two “sons of the jungle”, young brothers who work with the people smugglers, promising to guide would-be immigrants through the jungle only to ultimately hand them over to the criminals who want to profit from their labour. They make extra cash by stealing and looting the bodies of immigrants who don’t survive the handover, helping themselves to any items they think they can sell. There’s also Father Nicho, who has ruined far more lives than just those of Epitafio and Estela. In theory he runs a Catholic orphanage, but in reality he brands all his young charges to indicate his ownership of them and puts them to work in various nefarious occupations. All the illegal activities are facilitated (and profited from) by corrupt officials and army personnel, with the immigrants themselves sometimes being drawn into the (moral and financial) corruption, such as the giant Mausoleo who Epitafio singles out to join his crew.
Emiliano Monge’s Among the Lost, which has been translated from the Spanish by Frank Wynne, is a brutal and disturbing story. It’s chock-full of violence, anger and betrayal. Although it’s possible to understand the motivations of the characters, it’s difficult to comprehend how they are habitually able to stoop so low. Unsurprisingly given the nature of the story, there are remarkably few likeable characters, but it has to be said that Monge’s characterisation is excellent in this regard. His characters manage to remain believable all the while they are engaged in shocking and despicable activities that really should be too awful to be believed. It’s really a very disturbing story, arguably all the more so because it takes place over the course of just one exceedingly harrowing day, although it certainly makes for a highly compelling read.
Among the Lost is written in such a way that it’s strangely disorientating, so that reading it is almost like experiencing a very bad dream. Time is somehow stretched and the characters seem to sometimes be almost detached from reality. The text is interspersed with quotes from both The Divine Comedy and the real-life testimonies of immigrants from Central American who travelled (that is, were trafficked) through Mexico in the hope of reaching a better life in the United States. Their words enhance the impact of the story, which is all the more powerful because it serves to humanise and expose the plight of immigrants seeking a better life in the United States, a subject that is sadly particularly relevant in the modern world. It’s a disturbing but important book.
The circumstances of the immigrants are shaped by some truly terrible people. First, there are Epitafio and Estela, the star-crossed lovers of the story, who are both violent, volatile and utterly ruthless. The pair share just one redeeming quality: they really do love each other. It’s not possible to like them though, not even after learning that they too were both trafficked when they were very young, taken to the orphanage run by the execrable Father Nicho and brutalised until they eventually grew to be his trusted lieutenants. It was Father Nicho that separated them, forcing Epitafio to marry Osaria, who he regularly beats, erroneously blaming her for being separated from his true love. They have certainly led hard lives thus far, but they’re still despicable people
Then there are the two “sons of the jungle”, young brothers who work with the people smugglers, promising to guide would-be immigrants through the jungle only to ultimately hand them over to the criminals who want to profit from their labour. They make extra cash by stealing and looting the bodies of immigrants who don’t survive the handover, helping themselves to any items they think they can sell. There’s also Father Nicho, who has ruined far more lives than just those of Epitafio and Estela. In theory he runs a Catholic orphanage, but in reality he brands all his young charges to indicate his ownership of them and puts them to work in various nefarious occupations. All the illegal activities are facilitated (and profited from) by corrupt officials and army personnel, with the immigrants themselves sometimes being drawn into the (moral and financial) corruption, such as the giant Mausoleo who Epitafio singles out to join his crew.
Emiliano Monge’s Among the Lost, which has been translated from the Spanish by Frank Wynne, is a brutal and disturbing story. It’s chock-full of violence, anger and betrayal. Although it’s possible to understand the motivations of the characters, it’s difficult to comprehend how they are habitually able to stoop so low. Unsurprisingly given the nature of the story, there are remarkably few likeable characters, but it has to be said that Monge’s characterisation is excellent in this regard. His characters manage to remain believable all the while they are engaged in shocking and despicable activities that really should be too awful to be believed. It’s really a very disturbing story, arguably all the more so because it takes place over the course of just one exceedingly harrowing day, although it certainly makes for a highly compelling read.
Among the Lost is written in such a way that it’s strangely disorientating, so that reading it is almost like experiencing a very bad dream. Time is somehow stretched and the characters seem to sometimes be almost detached from reality. The text is interspersed with quotes from both The Divine Comedy and the real-life testimonies of immigrants from Central American who travelled (that is, were trafficked) through Mexico in the hope of reaching a better life in the United States. Their words enhance the impact of the story, which is all the more powerful because it serves to humanise and expose the plight of immigrants seeking a better life in the United States, a subject that is sadly particularly relevant in the modern world. It’s a disturbing but important book.
April 9, 2021
I was very excited to pick this book up, as I had not read anything on this subject before. However, I was very disappointed with this, I know that this book was written in Spanish before being translated to English, but I found it very hard to enjoy reading this book. It's very difficult to properly picture what is exactly happening as the author doesn't use real place names, or does he properly identify from what the refugees are fleeing, from where and what their hopes and ambitions are. The book is in fact a love story between two people traffickers, who were brought together because they themselves were trafficked. Their circumstances from the past are briefly spoken about just like their actual circumstances, which makes it difficult to identify or sympathize with them.
Overall, I was disappointed with this as the premise from the start sounded good, a topic that's very relevant. But for me, it lacked the hard hitting detail and facts about human trafficking. It is in fact a glorified love story with a setting of people trafficking, with very little detail into the background of the main characters or indeed the WHY? Why are involved in this activity? Why the are people they are transporting fleeing their native lands? What are the circumstances of the two boys of the jungle? The "Priest", who is he? If you are looking for a love story between two desperate and vague characters this book is for you. If you're looking for a book on the hopes and fears of refugees and people traffickers...kindly overlook this title.
Overall, I was disappointed with this as the premise from the start sounded good, a topic that's very relevant. But for me, it lacked the hard hitting detail and facts about human trafficking. It is in fact a glorified love story with a setting of people trafficking, with very little detail into the background of the main characters or indeed the WHY? Why are involved in this activity? Why the are people they are transporting fleeing their native lands? What are the circumstances of the two boys of the jungle? The "Priest", who is he? If you are looking for a love story between two desperate and vague characters this book is for you. If you're looking for a book on the hopes and fears of refugees and people traffickers...kindly overlook this title.
December 3, 2017
Pese a que el tema central del libro y su estilo me capturaron desde la primera página, llegó un momento en que se volvió engorroso y aburrido. Todo el tiempo parecía que estaba a punto de pasar algo que luego se perdía entre un párrafo y otro hasta que luego empezaba otro capítulo y seguía todo igual. Aún así, quiero rescatar la historia de inmigrantes que no llegan a cruzar la frontera y pierden la vida intentando buscar un mejor futuro, una tragedia que lleva años acabando con la vida de aquellos que intentan llegar a Estados Unidos vía terrestre. La teoría de Monge consiste en que estamos frente a un Holocausto del siglo XXI asentado en una red de compra y venta de personas. El manejo del lenguaje de Monge es también otro punto a su favor, junto con la mezcla que hace al insertar párrafos de la Divina Comedia y datos otorgados por sobrevivientes de estas redes de tráfico humano, tal como aclara al final del libro. Aún así, me gustaría darle oportunidad a otro libro de este autor, su prosa es impecable.
January 14, 2020
Me costó mucho trabajo leerlo y terminarlo. Me pareció repetitivo, con laberintos innecesarios en la narrativa y diálogos torpes y aburridos. Los personajes me parecieron siempre dubitativos y sin una personalidad que me atrapara o me identificara con ellos. También, se me hizo muy cansado la incesante necesidad de dar apodos difícil de recordar a los personajes. Dicho esto, el tema me gusta y me parece algo que debe de conocerce en México para generar política pública y conversaciones en torno a la protección de derechos humanos.
December 8, 2020
Todo un novelón, cruel y terrible, además combinada con testimonios reales de migrantes, no la solté y me produjo una combinación de interés y miedo a saber que seguía. Verdaderamente admirable como retrata situaciones violentas sin hacer referencia a “x” narco directamente y también me pareció valiente centrar la empatía en la historia de los secuestradores para hacernos cuestionar que todos, hasta los villanos, somos víctimas de un sistema de desigualdades que se perpetúa. De lo mejor que he leído últimamente.
July 13, 2016
Una historia contada con verdadera maestría. Un coro de voces electrizante. Una historia de amor estúpidamente cruel.
June 10, 2020
Een helse odyssee waar je als lezer niet ongehavend uitkomt
Van de Mexicaanse auteur Emiliano Monge (1978) verschenen tot nu toe twee romans in het Nederlands. Arie van der Wal stond in voor de vertaling van Las tierras arrasadas (2015).
In een niemandsland tussen woestijn en oerwoud passeert een eindeloze stroom vluchtelingen op weg naar een beter leven, ‘mannen en vrouwen die kortgeleden de grote muur zijn overgestoken die het verschroeide land in tweeën deelt.’ Criminele bendes lokken deze illegale migranten in de val om ze te verkopen aan de hoogstbiedende, maar eerst ontnemen ze hun alles. Vanaf dan gaat het om ‘naamlozen’ zonder verleden, toekomst of hoop.
Het verhaal start vlak voor zonsopgang als de ‘oerwoudjongens’ nieuwe vluchtelingen aanleveren op een open plek, waar Epitafio en Estela met hun handlangers de lading overnemen. Epitafio en Estela voeren een bende mensenhandelaren aan, maar het zijn ook geliefden. Als kind werden ze zelf gevangengenomen en in een weeshuis gestopt. Jarenlang misbruik, folteringen en dwangarbeid hebben deze slachtoffers tot daders getransformeerd. De meedogenloosheid van het duo kent geen grenzen. Na een eerste reeks vernederingen proppen ze de ‘naamlozen’ in laadbakken van vrachtwagens, waarmee ze hen transporteren naar de opkopers. Epitafio en Estela volgen daarbij ieder een andere route en doen de hele dag vruchteloze pogingen om elkaar telefonisch te bereiken. Ze geraken hoe langer hoe meer opgefokt. Het ziet ernaar uit dat ze elkaar ontglippen terwijl hun heerschappij over de bende ten einde loopt. Rivalen staan klaar om de boel over te nemen.
Estela en Epitafio zouden graag ontsnappen aan deze mensenverslindende hel. Ze proberen hun uitzichtloze situatie te ontkennen door zich een betere toekomst te herinneren, maar zitten gevangen in een horrorscenario, waarin empathie hardvochtig wordt afgestraft en het recht van de sterkste zegeviert. Net als alle andere personages in deze roman, hebben ze hun menselijke identiteit al lang verloren. Het zijn ontmenselijkte zombies, die gevoelloos folteren en moorden, met enkel die obsessie voor elkaar en voor de rest bereid om elke onschuldige prooi die hun pad kruist mee te sleuren in het inferno.
De noodlottige tochten van Epitafio, Estela en ‘de oerwoudjongens’ verlopen parallel en zijn doorspekt met opgejaagde dialogen en gedachtestromen die, zoals tijdens een slapeloze nacht, eindeloos rondjes draaien in de hoofden van de radeloze hoofdpersonages.
Alle persoonsnamen hebben te maken met de dood en de meeste plaatsaanduidingen verwijzen naar De goddelijke komedie van Dante. Een opmerkelijke link naar de Griekse mythologie zien we in een consequent gebruik van het ‘epitheton ornans’, dat in wisselende gedaanten als een mantra doorheen het verhaal terugkomt met bijvoorbeeld Epitafio als ‘Dedovevangeest’ en Estela als ‘‘Deblindeindewoestijn’. Vooral de rake omschrijvingen voor de ‘naamlozen’ beklijven.
Al is het soms verwarrend om te volgen wat er precies gaande is, door het helse ritme krijgt de lezer geen kans om weg te kijken. Bijzonder indringend en tegelijk afstompend zijn de stukken tekst in cursief die naadloos aansluiten bij het gebeuren. De auteur citeert hier uit authentieke, schrijnende getuigenissen van Midden-Amerikaanse migranten op hun tocht door Mexico op weg naar de VS.
Het woeste decor versterkt de onheilspellende atmosfeer en de schoonheid van de krachtige, kleurrijke natuur laat zich niet onbetuigd. Levendige fauna en flora eisen op elke pagina hun plaats op.
Een alwetende verteller verweeft al deze elementen tot een mooi geheel, in een afstandelijke vertelstijl. Tussen de regels laat hij doorschemeren dat een goede afloop niet tot de mogelijkheden behoort. Emiliano Monge sleurt de lezer mee in een apocalyptische nachtmerrie, waarin niemand te vertrouwen is en elk spatje medemenselijkheid ontbreekt. Alsof de mensheid alle hoop heeft laten varen en ontaard is tot een weerzinwekkende fout van de natuur. Niet verwonderlijk dat in een dergelijk wreed universum liefde alleen mogelijk lijkt in de gekmakende vorm van een alles verzengende obsessie.
Is het verschroeide land werkelijk ‘het verhaal van de laatste holocaust van de menselijke soort’? Een verstikkende odyssee waar ook de lezer niet ongehavend uitkomt, is het ongetwijfeld.
Deze recensie schreef ik als Hebban-recensent voor Hebban.nl.
Van de Mexicaanse auteur Emiliano Monge (1978) verschenen tot nu toe twee romans in het Nederlands. Arie van der Wal stond in voor de vertaling van Las tierras arrasadas (2015).
In een niemandsland tussen woestijn en oerwoud passeert een eindeloze stroom vluchtelingen op weg naar een beter leven, ‘mannen en vrouwen die kortgeleden de grote muur zijn overgestoken die het verschroeide land in tweeën deelt.’ Criminele bendes lokken deze illegale migranten in de val om ze te verkopen aan de hoogstbiedende, maar eerst ontnemen ze hun alles. Vanaf dan gaat het om ‘naamlozen’ zonder verleden, toekomst of hoop.
Het verhaal start vlak voor zonsopgang als de ‘oerwoudjongens’ nieuwe vluchtelingen aanleveren op een open plek, waar Epitafio en Estela met hun handlangers de lading overnemen. Epitafio en Estela voeren een bende mensenhandelaren aan, maar het zijn ook geliefden. Als kind werden ze zelf gevangengenomen en in een weeshuis gestopt. Jarenlang misbruik, folteringen en dwangarbeid hebben deze slachtoffers tot daders getransformeerd. De meedogenloosheid van het duo kent geen grenzen. Na een eerste reeks vernederingen proppen ze de ‘naamlozen’ in laadbakken van vrachtwagens, waarmee ze hen transporteren naar de opkopers. Epitafio en Estela volgen daarbij ieder een andere route en doen de hele dag vruchteloze pogingen om elkaar telefonisch te bereiken. Ze geraken hoe langer hoe meer opgefokt. Het ziet ernaar uit dat ze elkaar ontglippen terwijl hun heerschappij over de bende ten einde loopt. Rivalen staan klaar om de boel over te nemen.
Estela en Epitafio zouden graag ontsnappen aan deze mensenverslindende hel. Ze proberen hun uitzichtloze situatie te ontkennen door zich een betere toekomst te herinneren, maar zitten gevangen in een horrorscenario, waarin empathie hardvochtig wordt afgestraft en het recht van de sterkste zegeviert. Net als alle andere personages in deze roman, hebben ze hun menselijke identiteit al lang verloren. Het zijn ontmenselijkte zombies, die gevoelloos folteren en moorden, met enkel die obsessie voor elkaar en voor de rest bereid om elke onschuldige prooi die hun pad kruist mee te sleuren in het inferno.
De noodlottige tochten van Epitafio, Estela en ‘de oerwoudjongens’ verlopen parallel en zijn doorspekt met opgejaagde dialogen en gedachtestromen die, zoals tijdens een slapeloze nacht, eindeloos rondjes draaien in de hoofden van de radeloze hoofdpersonages.
Alle persoonsnamen hebben te maken met de dood en de meeste plaatsaanduidingen verwijzen naar De goddelijke komedie van Dante. Een opmerkelijke link naar de Griekse mythologie zien we in een consequent gebruik van het ‘epitheton ornans’, dat in wisselende gedaanten als een mantra doorheen het verhaal terugkomt met bijvoorbeeld Epitafio als ‘Dedovevangeest’ en Estela als ‘‘Deblindeindewoestijn’. Vooral de rake omschrijvingen voor de ‘naamlozen’ beklijven.
Al is het soms verwarrend om te volgen wat er precies gaande is, door het helse ritme krijgt de lezer geen kans om weg te kijken. Bijzonder indringend en tegelijk afstompend zijn de stukken tekst in cursief die naadloos aansluiten bij het gebeuren. De auteur citeert hier uit authentieke, schrijnende getuigenissen van Midden-Amerikaanse migranten op hun tocht door Mexico op weg naar de VS.
Het woeste decor versterkt de onheilspellende atmosfeer en de schoonheid van de krachtige, kleurrijke natuur laat zich niet onbetuigd. Levendige fauna en flora eisen op elke pagina hun plaats op.
Een alwetende verteller verweeft al deze elementen tot een mooi geheel, in een afstandelijke vertelstijl. Tussen de regels laat hij doorschemeren dat een goede afloop niet tot de mogelijkheden behoort. Emiliano Monge sleurt de lezer mee in een apocalyptische nachtmerrie, waarin niemand te vertrouwen is en elk spatje medemenselijkheid ontbreekt. Alsof de mensheid alle hoop heeft laten varen en ontaard is tot een weerzinwekkende fout van de natuur. Niet verwonderlijk dat in een dergelijk wreed universum liefde alleen mogelijk lijkt in de gekmakende vorm van een alles verzengende obsessie.
Is het verschroeide land werkelijk ‘het verhaal van de laatste holocaust van de menselijke soort’? Een verstikkende odyssee waar ook de lezer niet ongehavend uitkomt, is het ongetwijfeld.
Deze recensie schreef ik als Hebban-recensent voor Hebban.nl.
April 27, 2023
La trama central del libro es la trata de personas (inmigrantes centroamericanos en busca del sueño americano), por ende en el libro hay pasajes muy violentos que demuestran cuan ruin puede llegar a ser un ser humano con tal de obtener ganancias económicas, poder, placeres prohibidos, resulta triste pensar que si bien el libro es ficción, mucho de lo escrito en estas páginas es la realidad para muchas personas que viven en situaciones económicas, sociales o personales que los orillan a ir en búsqueda del "sueño americano" y que al cruzar hacía México se topan con esta clase de situaciones. Ahora el porqué de mi calificación, la verdad se me hizo muy pesada la lectura, el autor a lo largo del libro cambia el nombre de los personajes frecuentemente, Epitafio por: Elsordodelamente, ElquequieretantoaEsta, Lacarota, Estela por Oigosololoquequiero, LaqueadoraaEpitafrio, Laciegadeldesierto, etc, sucede lo mismo para los lugares, ejemplo el lugar en donde son recogidos los inmigrantes por los criminales, en ocasiones es llamado Claro Ojo de Hierba y en ocasiones el tiradero. Ademas hay ideas que puede expresar de manera muy sencilla el autor intenta adornarlas de un lenguaje poético que a mi gusto no queda en esta novela. Otro de los puntos que no me agradó fue el que algunas situaciones dentro del libro las sentí muy forzadas, entre ellas el como el autor quiere ligar las 3 diferentes historias (La de Epitafio, la de Estela y la de los niños de la selva) y algunas de ellas inverosímiles.
April 29, 2020
La temática del libro es, sin duda, cruda e impresionante. Hablar sobre la situación que viven los migrantes siempre será un acercamiento a la barbaridad del ser humano. Y por supuesto que, haciéndolo desde la narrativa de Emiliano Monge, sin prejuicios morales, requiere de suficiente fuerza emocional, pues leer los testimonios de aquellos que padecieron situaciones tan inhumanas resulta casi intolerable y muy desolador.
Existen ciertos libros que me superan como lectora y este es uno de ellos, los juegos narrativos que utiliza el autor me parecen muy interesantes, por su cruce entre la realidad y ficción que continuamente está trabajando, sin embargo, continuar el ritmo de la lectura me resultó difícil desde el inicio hasta el final del libro, no juzgo las intenciones creativas del autor porque me parece muy prometedor lo que intenta hacer, sin embargo conmigo no funcionó del todo.
De cualquier manera, es importante mencionar que es un libro que reta al lector, por lo que si se tiene interés en experimentar con nuevas propuestas, este es un gran ejemplo de ello; tiene un uso constante de distintos apodos para los personajes, citas de otros textos como la Divina Comedia y fragmentos de entrevistas a emigrantes que la convierte en una lectura compleja pero muy completa.
Tristemente no lo disfruté tanto como hubiese querido pero reconozco su valor y felicito la valentía del autor por escribir sobre un tema tan trascendental para la sociedad mexicana actual.
Existen ciertos libros que me superan como lectora y este es uno de ellos, los juegos narrativos que utiliza el autor me parecen muy interesantes, por su cruce entre la realidad y ficción que continuamente está trabajando, sin embargo, continuar el ritmo de la lectura me resultó difícil desde el inicio hasta el final del libro, no juzgo las intenciones creativas del autor porque me parece muy prometedor lo que intenta hacer, sin embargo conmigo no funcionó del todo.
De cualquier manera, es importante mencionar que es un libro que reta al lector, por lo que si se tiene interés en experimentar con nuevas propuestas, este es un gran ejemplo de ello; tiene un uso constante de distintos apodos para los personajes, citas de otros textos como la Divina Comedia y fragmentos de entrevistas a emigrantes que la convierte en una lectura compleja pero muy completa.
Tristemente no lo disfruté tanto como hubiese querido pero reconozco su valor y felicito la valentía del autor por escribir sobre un tema tan trascendental para la sociedad mexicana actual.
April 2, 2021
‘You who believe the gods are indifferent to human affairs, what say you to those paintings that show the great number whose prayers saved them from storm and returned them to safe harbour?’
‘That may be,’ rejoined Diagoras, ‘but there are no paintings of those who drowned, and they are a multitude.’
CICERO ON THE NATURE OF THE GODS
This story is told from the point of view of human traffickers, who exploit and torture illegal migrants from Central America who are trying to make their way across Mexico to the safety of the United States. This is not an easy read, the brutality inflicted on the migrants by the traffickers is horrific (The author Emiliano Monge used testimonies from migrants who had survived in the book). Throughout the book we learn the backstory of two of the traffickers Epitafio and Estela, who were both bought and tortured themselves as young children and are repeating the circle of violence inflicted on them. Epitafio and Estela have fallen in love and want to escape from this life, but from the beginning you realise that this is a dream that will never be realised.
‘That may be,’ rejoined Diagoras, ‘but there are no paintings of those who drowned, and they are a multitude.’
CICERO ON THE NATURE OF THE GODS
This story is told from the point of view of human traffickers, who exploit and torture illegal migrants from Central America who are trying to make their way across Mexico to the safety of the United States. This is not an easy read, the brutality inflicted on the migrants by the traffickers is horrific (The author Emiliano Monge used testimonies from migrants who had survived in the book). Throughout the book we learn the backstory of two of the traffickers Epitafio and Estela, who were both bought and tortured themselves as young children and are repeating the circle of violence inflicted on them. Epitafio and Estela have fallen in love and want to escape from this life, but from the beginning you realise that this is a dream that will never be realised.
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