The story begins from the very beginning...

It unfolds like a mystery, with each page revealing new details and surprises.

The characters are vividly described, making them come alive in the reader's imagination.

The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

As the story progresses, the reader becomes more and more invested in the outcome.

Will the hero succeed in his quest?

Or will the villain prevail?

Only time will tell as the story continues to unfold.

The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it difficult to put the book down.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, adventure, or romance, this story has something for everyone.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as the story takes you on a journey you'll never forget.

Since 2016, I have been trying to read this book and have never been able to finish it. This time, I started it very pleasantly and continued like that until the end.

In the year, I read "Girls from Ipanema" and I was very impressed. While reading the book, the scenes of the series were recalled and it was really good.

I think this book has a unique charm that makes people unable to put it down. The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are vivid and interesting. It not only tells a beautiful love story but also reflects some social problems.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to others.

It has been decided. After the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil, I will go to Goa. I will stay in the Copacabana beach, perhaps I will fall in love there. The appetite is extremely large and, as I mentioned earlier, the favorite destination has come out. I will travel to my favorite Brazil.

This plan sounds very exciting. Brazil is a country full of charm and vitality. The Maracanã Stadium is a famous landmark, and going there can experience the passionate football culture. Goa is also a beautiful place with its unique beaches and scenery. Staying in Copacabana beach will definitely be a wonderful experience. Falling in love there is also a possibility, as the beautiful environment and pleasant atmosphere may make people's hearts flutter. Moreover, having a large appetite is a good thing, as it means that you can enjoy more delicious Brazilian food. Travelling to Brazil will allow you to explore its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and unique traditions. It will be an unforgettable journey.

Five stars shine and do not deceive, but be as it is.

There was a little more anticipation and hopes were also raised, but it is an extremely interesting book, especially in terms of the characters. The change in the color of the characters throughout the entire work is interesting, as well as the numerous parallels with the characters of other literary works, the discovery of which is a separate pleasure. Of course, the author also has a deep understanding of human psychology with detailed descriptions. What was most astonishing to me was that the writer describes the sexual life of the protagonist in such a way that it does not leave a feeling of discomfort in the reader, on the contrary, it also seems aesthetic when reading: it is also interesting that in the book we simultaneously encounter the manifestations of postmodernist style and magical realism. In short, it is worth reading this book for the whole range of its interesting characteristics. There is still a lot that can be said about this book, but one's own impression does not allow for a summary.

This is such a wonderful read that I simply couldn't and didn't want to put it down.

I truly cherished each and every moment when I got to pick it up and completely get lost in its captivating world.

I was so smart to save this book for my recent vacation to a tropical Caribbean island. It couldn't have been a more perfect read for my trip.

As I sat on the beach on the very first day and opened the book, I was amazed to find that the first chapter was so fittingly titled "The Beach". It really doesn't get much more perfect than that.

I have so far read two other books by Updike, and I'm very glad I read them first. Because if I had read this one first, it would have spoiled me and left me thinking that the others would be just as good.

And while his other books were good, this one was a beautiful and brilliant escape that was far richer than "S." or "Marry Me".

Natalie really rocks for recommending this one and lending me her copy. :)

For those who would go to great lengths and completely transform themselves inside out for the sake of love. He would truly embody her, taking on her essence, and she would do the same, embodying him. In this profound connection, he would become her in a sense, and she would become him.

For those who firmly believe in being fated to another, this connection is meant to last for as long as they shall live. It is a bond that is unbreakable, a destiny that cannot be denied.

Read and let these words soak in, for they speak of the power of love and the beauty of a connection that is both profound and destined.

I couldn't start this. I think it was all the schtuping.

In his new novel (The Pregnant Widow), Martin Amis makes an interesting observation about fornication. He says that it is both indescribable and yet it populates the planet.

This can be read as a criticism that attempts to describe sex on the page often fall short.

It makes one wish that Updike, whom I otherwise have a great deal of affection for, had in at least this instance held the same view.

Perhaps if he had, some of the more graphic and perhaps less-than-successful attempts at描写 sex in his works might have been avoided.

While sex is an important part of human experience, it seems that capturing its essence and the emotions and sensations it evokes in written form is a challenging task indeed.

Maybe it's something that is better left to the imagination or experienced in real life rather than overly described on the printed page.

Nonetheless, it continues to be a topic that many writers feel compelled to explore, often with mixed results.

This is a truly atrocious colonialist fetishizing trash, and I have nothing more to say about it.

It is a work that seems to glorify and romanticize the dark and unjust aspects of colonialism, which is completely unacceptable.

I haven't read a worse book in a long time. It makes me feel disgusted and disappointed.

We should firmly oppose any form of colonialist ideology and strive to promote a more just and equal world.

This kind of literature only serves to remind us of the painful history of colonialism and the need to constantly work towards a better future.

Warning ⚠️ - This is an extremely subjective evaluation!

I was left with a heavy heart and spirit.

Perhaps only Updike and his myth-transforming spirit could have come up with the idea of placing the eternal story of Tristan and Isolde in a Brazilian backwoods - but this is perhaps only one of the few virtues of the book. It charms in some places, and in others it drenches one from head to toe with boredom.

Digging into the symbolism is interesting, but at some point both the reader and, it seems, the author himself gets tired. Although one is immersed in the setting, one doesn't really get a good feel for Brazil - it seems that Updike was only passing through there. However, one can grab a replacement for the tiresome "onyx rod" - here it is called "yams", and you will encounter it approximately once every two pages, so be prepared.

The story, while having its moments of beauty and intrigue, also suffers from a certain repetitiveness and a lack of true depth in its exploration of the Brazilian setting. The characters, too, sometimes feel a bit one-dimensional, as if they are mere pawns in Updike's game of myth and symbolism.

Overall, while the book has its merits, it also has its flaws, and it remains to be seen whether it will stand the test of time as a classic work of literature.

In general, it is quite easy to pick up a pen and a book written about love can turn into an overly sentimental and banal romantic serial. Throughout the whole plot, things like the apocalypse on the verge, the beaches of Copacabana, the exoticism of Rio, the Brazilian criminal, the scenes of "City of God" that come to mind, and most importantly, the style of the apocalypse's unique writing, which forms an unbeatable tandem with the translator's talent, are the main factors that make this book valuable. In the end, it was shown that more originality could have been given to Hark and the completion of this book could have been done better. Nevertheless, it was still an interesting reading experience, but this man writes much better in tragedies.

P.S. April loves "Prepared for the Apocalypse", if you read it, you will evaluate the apocalypse better.

This is one of the 100 top books of all time? Hmmm...

I really don't appreciate a perfectly palatable south of the border novel being violently taken hostage by bothersome magic realism 3/4 the way through the book. Ugh.

The story had been flowing quite nicely up until that point. The characters were engaging, and the plot was developing in an interesting manner. But then, suddenly, the magic realism elements were thrown in, and it felt like a complete disruption. It was as if the author had decided to take a left turn without any warning, leaving the reader feeling disoriented and frustrated.

Maybe some people enjoy this kind of unexpected twist, but for me, it just didn't work. I prefer my novels to have a more consistent style and tone. The magic realism in this book seemed out of place and detracted from what could have been a really great story.