| Title | : | The Invisible Mountain |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0307271633 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780307271631 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 384 |
| Publication | : | First published August 25, 2009 |
| Awards | : | LovelyBooks Leserpreis Allgemeine Literatur (2009) |
From Perón's glittering Buenos Aires to the rustic hills of Rio de Janeiro, from the haven of a Montevideo butchershop to U.S. embassy halls, The Invisible Mountain celebrates a nation’s spirit, the will to survive in the most desperate of circumstances, and the fierce and complex connections between mother and daughter.
The Invisible Mountain Reviews
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Wonderful book, very lovely author that I've met in Turin few years ago... For all those that like to read Isabel Allende... I'm not loosing hope that I'll find her publisher in Serbia (I did once but he changed his mind and canceled the contract)...
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This book was delectable – delicious words spilling from a poet’s pen. While The Invisible Mountain is worth the read for the sheer beauty of the language alone, it’s also an epic multigenerational story of three incredibly strong women, a story of revolution, political upheaval, love of country, mother-daughter love, love of language and words, survival, hope, a story about the power of story itself (and the power of story to transport and heal).
I confess that I don’t read much historical fiction, but this tale of Uruguay and the country’s political upheaval and economic struggle through the 20th century was spellbinding. The personal plights of characters aligned with the country’s struggles, resulting in an emotional, educational read. This story of three women within the same family – Pajarita, Eva, and Salome – is told in separate sections covering each woman’s life struggles, yet the author has artfully woven them into one seamlessly connected tale.
The ending might have been one of the most magical experiences for me – not so much in the journeys and outcome of the story (which I also loved, despite their often sad -- but hopeful -- resolutions), but in the way the author so skillfully encouraged the reader to physically loop back to the beginning of the story.
The story, to me, was a continuum – a loop that began with the life of a matriarch, then curved downward to her daughter’s life, then up again to her granddaughter’s life, ending the spherical trail with the “end” of the matriarch (Pajarita's) own life.
The message of familial female connection – rounded and unending – is portrayed beautifully by DeRobertis : “…her pen moved and moved without her hand seeming to push it, forming the spines and spikes and loops of cursive words, sharp t’s and j’s, y’s and g’s with knots at their base as though to tie themselves together, tie women back together, and as she wrote the loops grew large, as if more rope were needed to bind what had blown apart inside her …”
That the author could so artfully move the reader to physically move in that circle by enticing her to flip back to the beginning of the book when finished with the novel was a physical manifestation of the continuum theme. Brilliant. (And I might add that I enjoyed rereading the beginning, after finishing the end, even more)!
This story will rumble in my mind for days, weeks, months – probably even years – to come. Beautiful. -
4,5⭐️
Bis zur Hälfte war ich noch bei guten 3-3,5 Sternen. Im letzten Drittel zog die politische Dimension heftig an. Die letzten 100 Seiten nur noch brutal, da flossen sogar bei mir die Tränen.
Eigentlich kann man dieses Familienepos, das gegen 1900 startet und in den 80er endet inhaltlich ein wenig mit für Brilka vergleichen. Die Stasia aus Brilka ist hier Pajarita.
Uruguay als Hauptschauplatz, Nebenschauplatz Argentinien, Kuba spielt ebenfalls thematisch eine Rolle.
Sprachlich ist das äußerst interessant gearbeitet. An sich nüchtern, auf den Punkt. Kein Drama, kein Pathos, kein Geschmachte, keine Opulenz. Keine unnötigen Schnörkel und Beschreibungen. Und trotzdem weht die ganze Zeit eine magische Note mit, etwas Ergreifendes, das mich komplett eingenommen hat.
Das Leben der Menschen und die Stationen der politischen Ümbrüche kommen so nah an einen ran, dass es irgendwann nur noch schmerzt.
Uruguay liegt heute im Demokratieindex 2 Plätze vor Deutschland. Ein Wahnsinn was dieses Land in den letzten Jahrzehnten gerissen hat. -
This novel completely swept me away. The Invisible Mountain is really like three novels in one. It's an expansive story of three strong women, told in three parts, yet woven together. Set mostly in Uruguay, and spanning most of the 20th century, it begins with the story of Pajarita, a lost infant who mysteriously re-appears in the countryside, high in a tree, New Year’s day 1900. The small town of Tucuarembo had been known for starting centuries with some sort of miracle, no matter how peculiar.
“Miracles are miracles… they come unannounced and unexplained and have no guarantee of giving you what you want; and yet you take them; they are the hidden bones of ordinary life.”
This captivating piece of language drew me in to Pajarita’s story, and the author’s poetic prose carried me through Pajarita’s marriage at 16 to an Italian immigrant, their move to the burgeoning Uruguayan city of Montevedio, the birth of her three children, and her discovery of inner strength when her husband fell short of providing for the family. When her daughter Eva’s story began, I was sad. How could I possibly be drawn in to her story as much as I had been to Pajarita’s? But I was drawn in, maybe even more so, as much by the author’s beautiful verse as by another fiercely independent woman’s story. Then came Eva’s daughter, Salome, and the epic tale of this Uruguayan family continued. Each of these woman grew up in different times. Each faced her own tragedies, endured her own betrayals, buried her own secrets. Each loved and lost and found her strength in different ways. Yet they all shared a common bond of family, of womanhood and motherhood, of history and of stories passed down through generations that sustained them in the darkest of times.
As a sweeping historical, this novel weaves in key events of the 20th century -- World Wars, economic recessions, the rise of communism, revolutions and revolts, the power of democracy -- all from the perspective of this small, hopeful, South American country. I got lost in time and in a different culture, drinking bitter mate tea passed in a traditional gourd, gulping red wine at 3 a.m. in a backroom bar, breathing cigarette smoke in the humid breeze of the La Rambla river.
This is a book that will inhabit my thoughts for a long time. It is full of small miracles and “the hidden bones of ordinary life.” When my memory of it begins to fade, I will read and savor it again. -
This book was given to me as a Christmas gift from a book club friend. I didn't start it for a while. Some of the reviews here scared me off, and I really didn't like the cover. I figured I had to read it for our next book club meeting (she asked about it in our last), so I kind of begrudgingly picked it up.
I was being ridiculous. This book is beautiful. It follows three generations of a family, mostly through its women, navigate Uruguay's tumultuous 20th century. It's a little historical, it's a little feminist, and there's a very little hint of magic.
The writing was so rich, and the characters felt like real people. I want to read everything De Robertis has written. -
This is saga of the Firielli’s family as told by the grandmother Pajarita, her daughter Eva and her granddaughter Salome.
During Pjarita life and her marriage with Ignazio, the author introduces the glamorous city of Montevideo before Word War I.
Page 27: Monte. Vide. Eu. I see a mountain, said the first Portuguese man to sight this terrain from sea.
Just for clarification, Montevideo has only a low hill.
However after the Great War, the Uruguay's economical breakdown just begin.
Her daughter Eva has a passion for poetry in order to surpass her sad and cruel childhood. After her marriage, she moves to Buenos Aires during the Peron's regime in Argentina. During the birth hood of her daughter Salome, she meets Eduardo Guevara, who became afterwards the famous partisan
Che Guevara .
Some hints of Getulio Vargas regime in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is also briefly described.
However, it's Salome’s life who captivates the reader, showing during her work at the American embassy in Montevideo, how she became part of the Tupamaros.
The
Tupamaros (Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros) was an urban guerrilla organization during the 60's-70's in Uruguay. Similar organizations were held in Brazil and Argentina as well in order to fight their political dictatorship.
Samole was 15 years old and stayed in prison during 13 years.
I won't spoil the whole story but I do recommend this book for those interested on Latin American history, which was magnificently portrayed by Carolina De Robertis. -
I cannot believe that I let this beautiful novel sit on my shelf for so long (nor that I only “discovered” Carolina De Robertis this year). This novel tells the story of three generations of very strong women, and we know their loves, hurts, aspirations, commitments and rejections. It is set primarily in Uruguay over most of the 20th century, and we see these women as they experience their country’s political upheaval, recessions and poverty, the rise of communism, a military dictatorship and democracy. However, what makes this book so very wonderful are two things – the total immersion in the Uruguayan culture the reader experiences and the writing. One review described this novel as “delectable”, and I think she was exactly right – we see, touch and taste the culture – but we also hurt with it. But the skill of the author is what makes this novel. Not only to we feel the emotions of the three women and the lives, culture and world in which they live, but they way the author writes – and particularly the way she ties the three generations together - is masterful.
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Three Generations of strong women:
Pajarita-lost but found 'reborn' in a tree
Eva- poetess and beauty
Salome-revolutionary
I enjoyed learning the history of Uruguay. There was revolution there too. The country had been too export oriented, so when exports fell, the country's economy suffered.
My emotions as I followed the characters went on a roller-coaster ride. Ignacio, Pajarita's husband was likeable, unlikable and then likable and unlikable again. Seemed like when things started going smoothly for a specific character, something bad would happen. I know this is true for other stories as well. I just noticed it this time.
Carolina De Robertis is both an author and a translator. Plan to read more by her.
4 stars -
This is an excellent debut novel. It addresses so many different family issues in each generation. Namely three generations spanning 90 years. The book is in three parts. Part one is Pajarita, part two is her daughter Eva, and part three is Salome, Pajarita's granddaughter.
Pajarita's tale takes place in Uruguay in the early 1900s. She is a "miracle child" that disappears as a baby and suddenly reappears in a tree much later. When she becomes a young woman, she marries Ignazio, who is a gondola maker from Italy (he has his own unique story, but does not take too much of the book to tell it) now traveling with a carnival. Their whirlwind romance takes them to Montevideo where things start to sour as they deal with financial difficulties, gambling problems, and alcoholism. Pajarita deals with it all, raises her children, supports her family, and throughout the novel, appears to be a shelter in the storm.
Eva's life is a bit more difficult. Her life introduces issues like child labor, child sexual abuse, and mental trauma. Things turn bad for her at home and she runs off to Argentina with a friend. She suffers much heartache before marrying a doctor and beginning a "perfect" life, only to end up exiled from the Peron's country. Eva's story tells a lot of Argentina's politics and the rise and fall of the Peron family, including the much revered Evita. After returning to Monetvideo with her husband and two children in tow, readers are introduced to more issues, including affairs, divorce, and even sex changes.
Salome's story is the worst. It will be noted at this point that each generation has it worse than the last. I enjoyed this part much less than the others as it is mostly about Revolution and politics. Salome gives up school to join an underground revolution and of course, ends up arrested and imprisioned for ten years. I scanned over much of Salome's story. The life she leads in prison is rough and unpleasant, but it was the political details that bored me.
The ending was absolutely stunning. A great debut novel. Would have warranted 5 stars except for the last part. I will be keeping an eye out for more by this author. -
Yes, I really, really liked it! I just finished. The metaphors are wonderful; they tie all the strands together. That home to this family was Montevideo, that the story took place here, was just perfect. Montevideo means - I see a mountain. But there is no mountain! Only by reading the novel will you understand. What else should I say? This book is about families and about secrets and how secrets eventually can be erased in a family. It is about how within a family, although we have common traits, we all are born different anyhow. In a family differences are less important than they are in a friendship. Finally, the ending - well it just couldn't have been better. I don't read an entire book just for the ending, but when the ending is so well sculpted as it is in this novel, the whole book ends with a glorious dazzle. I had a hard time with the section on Salomé, as many other readers have noted, but stick it out, you will not be disappointed.
I am adding this - you DO learn about Uruguayan political history around the middle of the 1900s and a bit about Ché Guevara and Peron too.
Through page 408: I adore the metaphor of the haircut - snip, snip, snipping away of the old and damaged. As a new person, lightened of the burden of the past, is it possible to take a step into a new life?
hrough page 232: OK, when I make a mistake I will gladly admit it. First of all we are still getting more info about Peron, and this I like. Secondly, and more importantly, there is happiness in Eva's life. Maybe the author wanted the readers to go crazy needing some happiness first. Then you appreciate it. Here follows a quote: "Autumn approached, with its cool winds and early showers. The season seemed enchanted. Eva could walk down the street- one child hand in each of hers - and be struck by a fierce and sudden gale of happiness. It made her want to skip and run and kick up puddle water and pursue the sensuous crunch of brown leaves beneath her boot. So much opulent sensation on one sidewalk. 'Salomé, you get that one!' Small galoshes crushed a leaf, another, and two giggles(a three-year-old's, her mother's) mixed with the crackling sound. 'Roberto? How about you?' A head shook, a wool cap swung its pom pom, made by his abuelita. How did he get so very tall? and how so solemn? Many splashed puddles it took, to make him smile, but it was worth it for the dawn-break way it came." Roberto is Eva's son and and Salomé her daughter. I like that the author understands it doesn't have to be BIG, IMPORTANT things that make one happy! Books that have no happiness drive me crazy. I feel like telling the author and the characters - open your eyes for heavens sake!
Through page 216: I am disappointed at how little the history of Uruguay and Argentina is drawn into the novel. Yes, it is there, but not alot! Evita Peron appears, but you get very, very little. Too bad! The second part of the book is about Eva, Pajarita's daughter, and the third will be about Salomé, Eva's daughter. It seems to me that the author has chosen to depict lifestyles that get progressively worse. What, is there no happiness in Eva's life? Of course not, but the author has chosen to show very little. I do not like it when author's send out a clear message or moral statement. Hej leave it to us the readers to choose what we belive! I would prefer if some happiness were included b/c everybody has life with some happiness even if sometimes we have to really search for it. That is just my opinion of course.
Through page 128: The writing is beyond marvelous. Magical realism at its best. Pajarita's three young sons, Bruno, Marcus and Thomas are inseperable soccer players, so when their mom calls them it becomes simply brunomarcusthomas. They are brunomarcusthomas.... Maybe you have to read this to understand, but I love the idea of one word for the three. I had thought to quote some text but now what is so gripping is what is happening in the family. The story is about Pajarita's daughter, Eva. You will cry for Eva. Why? Read the book! Kids - what they blame themselves for! Enough to make me want to kick somebody!
Through chapter 1, page 47 only, and I love it! Why - because of the author's way of expressing herself! The style is clearly magical realism. Descriptions sparkle! The moon casts a light of spilled milk on the floor. How does it feel when you realize you are in love for the first time? Do you remember? "What a strange feeling: dizzy, thrilling - like those times when, as a child, she had spun and spun until she stopped and looked around at a world that whirled before her eyes. All things danced, nothing stayed still." And there is humor - at the village wedding of Ignazio and Pajarita: "An infant howled in satisfaction (she had made terrific toothmarks on a bible)." Lauren thank you! Tara, I do understand why you loved this.
Before opening the book: Oooops again - I do not know what I read last time but I definitely DO like what I test read of the book provided at B&N. Kirkus says the writing is dense and lush and if I quote them: "Miracles, poetry and guerilla fighters march through the 20th century in De Robertis' winning debut, a beautifully wrought novel of Uruguay." I liked the poetic text in the section concerning Eva. Now I have added this to a must list!
So forget the following incorrect sentence - ooops. I did NOT like the text when I checked it! OK, I made a mistake! -
Invisible Mountain is a gem of a novel, grounded in actual history, with a dollop of magical realism, a splash of Dickensian coincidence, with some forbidden romance and political intrigue added to the mix.
The novel opens at the turn of the 20th century in a remote Uruguayan village, when a baby is spirited away and then reappears, a year later, unharmed in the branches of a tree. The young one is named Pajarita – translated to little bird – and the narrative, divided into three sections, sequentially focuses on her, her daughter Eva, and her granddaughter Salome.
All three are strong, impassioned women, who are capable of making bold choices in order to remain authentic and true to themselves. As the century opens up with more options for women, the choices become increasingly bolder. One of the beauties of Invisible Mountain is that the prose accurately mirrors the country of Uruguay – from a time when gentle magic lit it from within to the near-present, when the country struggled under the harsh light of despotic politics.
Each woman is named fortuitously and in ways, fulfills the destiny of her name. Each in turn, embraces passion, poetry, and politics and becomes a vessel into which De Robertis pours decades of Uruguayan and Argentinian culture and family dynamics. The magical lyricism (think: Isabel Allende or Gabriel Garcia Marquez) is replaced with the intense and painful down-to-earth images of a country that has veered from its destiny and imprisoned those with the courage to speak out.
De Robertis writes: “This Uruguay: less innocent, smaller somehow, dwarfed by the looming world, more wounded, bleeding people out through its wounds, mourning the lost blood of the exiled and the dead and also those who simply shrugged and flew away, but also stronger for its wounds, mature, tenacious, wiser about what it can withstand, with a heart that beats and people who pulse through its pathways.” She could be speaking of her characters who also mature with their hearts joyfully beating despite their wounds.
In many ways, this is a love song to Uruguay: “El Rio de la Plata’s curving motion a woman weeping against a balcony rail, the red aroma of beef roasting at las brasas at the corner bar…Montevideo’s sleepy beauties and its daily return into her skin.” In equally powerful ways, it’s a celebration of women, particularly mother-daughter relationships and how they evolve and endure.
If there is a flaw in this novel, it is in the depiction of the male characters. The author was, at one time, a rape crisis counselor; perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that the vast majority of men are depicted as abusive, inebriated, unfaithful, and downright violent. There is one notable exception, but that character’s story is told inorganically; from both an economic and psychological perspective, the character’s decision – and the results stemming from that decision – would be highly unlikely in the real world.
But as I closed the pages, I was left with the feeling that this multi-generational saga is assuredly destined to stand among the finest debut works, with a tone that is often elegiac and a theme that is truly of the ages.
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It would take me months to tell you all that I do not know about Uruguay and since we have neither the time nor the interest let's talk about a novel set in Uruguay instead. It's The Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis. The Invisible Mountain is my first experience with Uruguay, fictional or otherwise, and what a nice place to start.
This novel is a multi-generational look at Uruguay (with some side trips to Argentina) across most of the 20th century through the eyes of three women. All three will face the challenge of surviving with both her individuality and family intact according to the standards of her time. On New Year's Day 1900 there is a miracle in a small town of Tacuaremb in the Uruguayan countryside. The baby that had been missing for a year, Pajarita, flies down from the treetops and into her Grandmother's arms. Years later Pajarita will fall in love at first sight with a mysterious Venetian immigrant with a dark family secret. Their daughter, Eva, a fragile but determined woman will find a way despite incredible odds to follow her dream of being a poet. Eva's daughter, Salome, rejects her Mother's art and becomes an urban guerrilla during the violent unrest of the 1960's questioning everything but her own principles.
Carolina De Robertis has taken the time worn family saga, added a little magic realism, a little real life realism, a whole lot of good writing and created a bold, soulful novel. The writing in The Invisible Mountain is lush but never florid. Most of the males in the novel are devils tarred with the same brush but De Robertis keeps her females more dimensional. These women are each strong in their way but far from perfect. De Robertis has kept Pajarita, Eva and Salome true to their historical era. In doing so De Robertis makes the changing roles of her three women play very nicely against the drastic political changes in Uruguay and Argentina. The Invisible Mountain is a provocative and expressive introduction to Carolina De Robertis and Uruguay. -
Spanning three generations of women – Pajarita, Eva and Salome, this colorful and intriguing historical novel set in Uruguay with a short diversion into Argentina, gives us a surprisingly intense experience into life in early 20th century Uruguay. Amidst the tumultuous upheaval experienced by many South American countries during that time period, including the Peron years in Argentina and the rise of Fidel Castro in Cuba, we witness history unfolding through the eyes of three strong and determined women. First is Pajarita who marries Italian immigrant Ignazio but struggles to survive as her husband spirals downward as he struggles with alcoholism, gambling and straying with other women and leaves her to fend for herself. Then comes Pajarita’s daughter - Eva - who has to supplement the family’s income and begins working at a shoe store at the age of 10. Having to endure the sexual abuses of her boss, a close friend of her father’s, and equally horrific, the wrath of her father who doesn’t believe her, she overcomes life’s cruel hardships and comes out the other end, strong-willed and determined. Then comes Salome, Eva’s daughter – growing up during radical and revolutionary Uruguay, she joins the fight against the government, is caught and imprisoned. The novel is an amazingly vibrant and sweeping work that gives the reader a satisfying taste of Uruguay in its 384 pages. A recommended read.
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I loooovee this book more than I thought I would. I bought it off a withdrawn library books cart for super cheap so I didn't really have high expectations for it. I started reading it in May and put it down a few pages in because I wasn't so captivated by the story at first. I picked it up again around the beginning of October and thought that I should just suck it up and force my way through it, because I don't like having unfinished books on my bookshelf. Didn't have to force myself because The story picked itself up midway through Pajaritas tale and I couldn't put it down after that.
Whether you are interested in some of the historical aspects of Uruguay or not this story is still interesting and the struggles faced by these three strong and glorious women remain relatable because the author does a great job of making them so human, and the turmoils they face in a country with not so great politics and amidst revolutions is something that should be relatable around the world.
Each story can hold up on their own but I am so happy we got them all in one which created such a lovely flow from one generation to the next. The presence of the women in the generations that follow is so great. I love that their story didn't end or they were set completely aside once the next characters generations and story began.
I would totally recommend this book to everyone. -
Last night, my husband returned home from a meeting to find me weeping tears of joy and sadness. I had just finished Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis, a historical fiction novel set in the South American country Uruguay and I was truly moved. The novel follows the lives of 3 women: a grandmother Pajarita, her daughter Eva, and her daughter Salome. The novel begins with Pajarita's childhood at the dawn of the 20th Century in her rural village and later moves to Montevideo where Pajarita must remain strong to hold her family together. For Eva's story, the narration remains in Montevideo and later moves to the Buenos Aires of Eva Peron, where Eva cultivates her talents as a poetess. (The character Eva in the novel and Eva Peron are not the same person as I had thought when I began the novel.) Finally the novel returns to Montevideo to let Salome's story unfold. Salome is an activist and is full of passion for her political cause.
These women are not perfect and are faced with a lot of difficult decisions throughout their lives. Often times I felt like the women were choosing the worst possible option in their situation, but because of these tribulations the characters grew stronger. -
I recently traveled to South America and visited this wonderful country. I wanted to read books about where I had traveled to. This book was just the ticket. It brought back my memories of beautiful Montevideo.
This story begins at the turn of the century and continues for ninety years. It is the tale of three generations of mothers and daughters. Each tells their own story of how their life began and the trials and tribulations of life in their time line. These stories are all woven together to tell a family saga.
Pajarita begins her story in a primitive village in Uruguay and mysteriously disappears. The town believes it is a miracle when this infant child reappears. Eva is Pajarita’s daughter and she tells her story of strong independence and conviction. Lastly Salome tells her story of the violent turmoil of the 1960’s in Uruguay. Salome becomes friends with guerilla rebels and tells her story of rebellion.
This book is beautifully written with magical metaphors. It is a wonderful work of historical fiction written from the heart -
Three generations of mothers and daughters, Pajarita, Eva and Salome, are inextricably tied by their fierce independence and their home, Montevideo. Montevideo hints of the book’s title, The Invisible Mountain. The metaphors hidden here are beautifully and tenderly wrought by the author. The women are interlocked with the hope of living fully. The reader won’t understand the title until the ending is reached and then you will want to reread for anything you’ve missed.
The writing is magical. Ms. De Robertis writes from her heart about her beloved Uruguay (with some side trips to Argentina and Cuba). Don’t despair when you leave one woman’s story because you will soon become totally immersed in the next. Along the way we learn of Uruguay’s culture, economics, politics and geography. I feel enriched by the reading of this rich debut novel. -
Such a powerful book that I want to think about my review!
But...wow.
Edit: & I'm still thinking about this book, which grew more powerful with each chapter! The best work of fiction that I have read this year.
De Robertis has a beautiful, evocative style which reminds me (a lot!) of Isabel Allende.
My only minor nitpick is some of the dialogue can be banal & strays into the telling not showing territory. But I'm certainly going to forgive this in a first novel.
Actually, I have a second nitpick, but this is with the publisher. The blurb with the large print edition I'm reading in one sentence gives away far too much of Salome's story. Try to avoid looking at that. -
Really enjoyed this novel of 3 generations of women living in south america and you feel the atmosphere and passions of the characters in Robertis novel from rio, buenos aires to montevideo and with at times with the background of polticial dictatorships
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The Invisible Mountain is a wonderful work of historical fiction set in Uruguay (with a brief foray into Argentina) from 1900 - 1990. Three generations of women are described with such beauty and clarity.
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Wonderful characterization, but with each generation their lives were more detailed; I wanted some fill-in for the first two generations.
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Tre donne, tre generazioni.
La prima: tutto il gran mistero di cui parla anche il titolo è risolto in pochissime righe.
La seconda: praticamente monodimensionale e risulta meno simpatica della prima.
La terza: ne avrebbe da dire, ma segue il trend in discesa.
Praticamente 'na tragedia!
Aggiungiamo gli uomini che sono - quando va bene - figurine sullo sfondo che al massimo fanno danno; mettiamo una manciatina di evanescenti personaggi femminili di contorno e mettiamoci anche una descrizione di Venezia talmente orribile che sembra una cartolina stinta (spero solo che l'Uruguay l'abbia trattato meglio!).
Non l'ho abbandonato soltanto perché è oggettivamente scritto bene, ma la sensazione complessiva è di aver perso una gran quantità di tempo avendo imparato forse una cosa che non conoscevo sulla rivoluzione in Uruguay. Un po' pochino! -
No hay duda de que ella es una autora increíble— mejor que Isabella Allende en mi opinión (sí, lo dije 🫣). Pero, desearía leerlo en inglés, la lengua en el que fue escrito, para poder apreciar plenamente el lenguaje figurativo y los detalles. Creo que algún día lo leeré en inglés. El desarrollo de los personajes es obra de una experta escritora y Pajarita, Eva y Salomé son mujeres que merecen el respeto y la admiración de todas nosotras. Voy a leer los otros libros de Carolina de Robertis también.
Y— aprendí much sobre la historia de Uruguay y Argentina y los dictadoras corruptas etc. Me gustaría seguir aprendiendo la historia de los países sudamericanos a través de la literatura. -
I am going to write the review I wish I had found on Goodreads before choosing this novel as a book club selection. I always check out the reviews on here before choosing any book, and I've always enjoyed the book recommendations I've found on here.
BUT.... I would not have chosen this book if the reviews had been more accurate. I saw lots of praise for the beautiful writing and comparisons to Isabel Allende, one of my favorite Latina writers. The idea of following 3 generations of women appealed to me, reminiscent of "The House of the Spirits". I certainly learned more about Uruguay than I knew (which was nothing), and I admired how the author modeled the characters to reflect and tell the history of the country, generation by generation (somewhat similar to "Midnight's Children").
However, I'm really surprised that none of the reviews mentioned the extremely disturbing and graphic content of this book. There is a particularly terrible description of the continual rape of a child that made me literally nauseous. It went on for pages and pages. Why did the author feel the need to go into such sadistic detail? I still don't know. I'm not exactly a prude when it comes to my books, but this was WAY over the top. Can you say "trigger warning"? I probably would have stopped reading right then had it not been for my obligation to my book club.
Another factor some might find objectionable is the premise that men are pigs. Like, literally animals. And even that might be too kind of a term, according to the book. I think I can count on one hand the number of truly positive male characters in this book - roughly one per section (with 3 sections). All the rest, from husbands to fathers to strangers on the street to old family friends to prison guards to government officials, are only interested in sex, alcohol, sex, abusing women, and sex. Also, sex. I'm sorry this has been the author's experience with men, perhaps based on the machismo culture, but it seems like male readers might take issue with it. I don't know, I'm not a man.
I'm afraid I can't recommend this book in good conscience to anyone. The writing was beautiful, but the content was ugly. -
I lost interest halfway through
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Oh my. Stunningly poetic, as Carolina’s writing always is, this multi-generational story demands rapture. Powerful and soft, fiery and gentle, painful and beautiful, just like the women it holds.
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DNF
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The Invisible Mountain by Carolina de Robertis
Carolina de Robertis writes with a passion as deep and intense as the tango, the thread that holds so much of South America together. The Invisible Mountain is a lyrical narrative on the tides of life in Uruguay throughout the twentieth century. As symbolic as the traditional shared cup or gourd of mate, Ms. de Robertis has a unique talent that embraces everything within the lives of three generations of women and their families. She conveys imagination and imagery exquisitely.
The novel begins with the introduction of the main characters' origins prior to 1900 to set the background for the story to come. A young man escaping a brutal life in Italy, and an infant girl whose mother dies in childbirth and is blamed by her father for the death. A miracle happens New Years Eve at the turn of the century which saves her life. From this point on the real story begins. This is the first generation, and the baby, Pajarita, will become the glue that binds the generations.
The book is divided in three sections: Pajarita, Eva, and Salome. Separate yet intertwined, these three women, grandmother, mother, and daughter, live through the turbulence of coups, revolutions, despair, hope, passion, and always the rhythm of life and country. Three very distinct women. Pajarita keeps her family fed when her husband disappears by selling the herbs and treatments she has learned at the local butcher shop, along with her personality and advice. Though set primarily in Montevideo, Uruguay, Eva, a poet, moves and marries in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the regime of Peron, before fleeing with her husband and family in the night back to Uruguay. Salome, in her teens, wants nothing more than to save her country and becomes a Tupamaro, a revolutionist.
This book is inspirational, historical, powerful and passionate. I became deeply invested in it, even feeling the music running through the background as if to say I am here, I will not be forgotten. Listen. Feel.
