I feel an inherent sense of unease whenever I make the decision to rate a book with a dismal "1 Star." I am well aware that my opinionated "1" may not carry much weight in the grand scheme of things. After all, I am just one of the millions of readers out there. However, there is still a dread and a hollowness that comes over me when I click that "1" to measure the quality of a past reading experience.

I guess I feel this numbness because I know that a book is a unique creation. It is not something that is thrown together casually like an uninspired salad. A book holds the life-force of its author, who has poured in their sweat, toil, and trepidation. It is the result of months or even years of hard work, sacrifice, and the courage to put oneself out there.

When I read a book, I am aware that I am looking into the inner life of the author. I may not always understand or agree with what they have written, but I respect the fact that they have shared a part of themselves with me. Therefore, giving a book a "1" feels like I am spitting on someone's magnum opus.

In the case of "The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts," my decision to rate it a "1" was both difficult and necessary. There were just too many things that went wrong with this book. The farce outweighed the substance, the tone was too light, and the characters were flat and underdeveloped. It failed to meet my expectations and left me feeling disappointed and weary.

This book presents a rather unique and interesting feature, namely a "plague of cats."

Halfway through the story, a large number of cats suddenly make their appearance. And yet, the characters in the story continue to go about their business as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, even though they are now surrounded by these cats.

They trip over the cats, pet them affectionately, move them off the furniture, and have their shoelaces played with by the mischievous felines.

Interestingly, this feature has the potential to bring a new and exciting dimension to many other books as well. Just imagine Dracula with cats lurking around, adding an element of both cuteness and mystery. Or Lolita, with cats perhaps providing a different kind of backdrop to the complex story. And Moby Dick, with cats on board the ship, creating a whole new set of interactions and scenarios.

The possibilities are truly endless, and it makes one wonder what other classic or contemporary books could be enhanced by the addition of a "plague of cats."

Smile here alternated with sadness. The portrayal of the army, the lust for power, and the political maneuvering was captured by Louis de Bernieres so vividly that much of it still holds true in the real world today.

However, the book also had something for me to take away. The story was hidden within the web of many stories of many characters. Overall, it reminded me of the idea in Heller's "Catch-22", the wit and intelligence of Terry Pratchett's books, and of course the atmosphere of Marquez and Allende. It was an excellent, albeit more challenging read, at least for me.

And praise is also due to Viktor Janis for the translation. This was probably a tough nut to crack.

It's a book that makes you think and feel, and it leaves a lasting impression. The complex characters and their intertwined stories add depth and richness to the narrative. It's a literary work that combines elements of different styles and authors, creating a unique and engaging reading experience.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, political satire, or just good literature, this book is definitely worth checking out. It will transport you to a different time and place, and make you see the world from a new perspective.

So, if you're looking for a book that will challenge you and expand your literary horizons, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.

This is the first instalment of de Bernières’ fabulous Latin American Trilogy.

His writing is truly magical in more than one sense. It has the power to transport the reader to a world that is both tragic and comic at the same time.

It is quite evident that García-Márquez’s writing has had a heavy influence on de Bernières. However, his work is completely original and utterly compelling.

The story unfolds with a unique charm and vividness that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and come alive on the pages, making the reader feel as if they are a part of their lives.

Overall, this first instalment sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy.

It is a must-read for anyone who loves Latin American literature or is simply looking for a captivating and engaging story.

4.5 stars

This rating of 4.5 stars is truly remarkable. It indicates a high level of quality and excellence. Products or services that receive such a rating have clearly impressed the reviewers.

Customers are likely to be very satisfied with what they have received. The 4.5 stars suggest that there are only a few minor areas that could potentially be improved.

It is a great achievement for the provider to have reached this level of success. It shows their commitment to providing a top-notch experience.

Overall, a 4.5-star rating is something to be proud of and can attract many more customers who are seeking a high-quality option.

The War for the Backside of Don Emanuel is a unique blend of magical realism, crazy ideas, a mysterious rainforest with ubiquitous spirits, black humor, and the sharp reality of the horrors of life in a totalitarian country shaken by civil unrest and the malevolence of the ruling military clique. Because of all this, the setting of the fictional country in the environment of South America offers a vivid and, despite all the supernatural phenomena (necessarily needing a domestic cat the size of a horse), it is easy to get the impression that all this could actually happen in the end. People are going crazy, especially when it comes to the vision of power.

It is not a completely typical book that could be clearly classified by genre. However, it definitely deserves to be read - if only because of the enchanting language and the well-done translation.

This is the first installment of Louis de Bernières' Latin American Trilogy and his debut novel. Right from the start, I was hooked. However, initially, the story appeared to be rather fragmented. There are numerous characters, forming several groups, each with its own distinct plot line. I was particularly drawn to the one involving Don Emmanuel and his nether parts, which was often uproariously funny. But this novel is also characterized as tragicomic. In fact, one of the plot lines is extremely dark, which might cause some readers to set it aside.

I wondered if I could keep all the characters and plot lines straight. But my concerns were unfounded. De Bernières masterfully weaves them together into a cohesive whole. Typically, we expect a South American novel to incorporate elements of magical realism, and this one does have such parts. There are also instances where he exaggerates magical realism to the point of absurdity, or at least that's how it seemed to me.

The war in the title is not what most of us would envision. In this fictional Latin American country, there are many factions, mostly composed of either far-right or far-left groups. De Bernières lived in Colombia for a few years. The country in the trilogy consists of a corrupt army, incompetent politicians, peasants, communist revolutionaries, and a few wealthy oligarchs for good measure. In order for the peasants to survive, bribing officials was a necessity. The mayor was also the local policeman, which led to a desirable reduction in local bureaucracy and meant that only one man needed to be bribed instead of two. For this reason, the locals were also attempting to get him appointed as magistrate and gobernador.

I found the prose itself to be complex enough that I remarked on it to myself more than once. On the other hand, there were times when he listed things in such a way that it bordered on the ridiculous - undoubtedly his intention at that point in the novel. I enjoyed this novel more as I delved deeper into it. I definitely plan to read the second book in the trilogy soon, and we'll see if I can figure out how to fit in the third as well. I'm hesitant to give this 5 stars, but I did love it. So there you have it.

Aaaahhhh!

How could I have forgotten this gem?

This is what occurs when one peruses old letters meant for friends that have remained unsent. It's a sort of temporal journal of mislaid memories where astonishing revelations come to light: did I do that? Oh....yes, I remember - that's what took place...ooooh, that wasn't very smart, was it?

So...this book. I have no clue as to why it was so impressive so many years ago. It simply was. Here's what I had to convey about it in this long-lost-recently-resurfaced piece of correspondence:

I have begun reading another book, The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts, by Louis de Bernieres. I am alternately amused by the irony, impressed with the use of language, and appalled at the viciousness of certain of the scenes described. I am envious that I can't put pen to paper to create a fictitious (or actual) world in which to depict and resolve my own philosophical dilemmas or describe my voyages in time and space. Surely, if people are reading and enjoying these writers, I should also find an audience not intimidated or bored by this tumultuous torrent of thoughts and ideas that longs to find coherent expression through either the written word or the medium of film. Dear???, do you find my letters entertaining, provocative, or simply eternally desultory spirals predominantly (and preponderantly) concerned with “I”?

As you can observe, the piece of correspondence likely had no purpose in resurfacing other than to remind me of the existence of the Don's nether parts.

This is a truly magnificent novel set in an unnamed Latin American country, written in 1990 by one of my all-time favorite authors.

In this captivating work, the reader is granted a comprehensive view of every single aspect of a Latin American nation. The characters are as diverse as they come, spanning from humble peasants to dangerous terrorists, from the upper class elite to military officers. They hail from every conceivable social class and ethnicity, adding a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences.

The reader witnesses the intense power struggles, the constant fighting and competition that occur between the military, the government, and the various levels of society. This includes the all-too-common unjustified incarceration and torture by the military, which is a sadly familiar theme in Latin American history.

We are also invited to live among a group of terrorists and observe as new members join their ranks for a fascinating array of reasons. The novel vividly portrays the stark contrasts between poverty and luxury, love and brutality, and peace and war.

The powerful forces of nature are given great prominence, allowing the reader to experience the searing heat and hidden dangers of the jungle, as well as the bone-chilling cold and unique perils of the mountains.

There are countless tragic events that befall the characters, but also many moments of satisfaction and hope. The novel is rich in magical realism, which for me is what truly makes it quintessentially Latin American. However, I understand that this may not be to everyone's taste.

Despite this, there is also an incredible amount of humor throughout the book. Almost every sentence contains a subtle witticism or humorous commentary, which can be appreciated on multiple levels. I adored this novel for its immersive setting and the way it so masterfully reflects the time and place, combining seriousness, magic, and humor in a truly unique and unforgettable way.

While I do believe that this is a very Latin American novel and may not appeal to everyone, I would highly recommend de Bernieres' trilogy set in England about the life of Daniel Pitt, which begins with The Dust That Falls from Dreams, to readers of all tastes and preferences.

I absolutely adored this book! It was an absolute delight to read, with the characters being so vivid and full of life!

I would be overjoyed to see this book transformed into a movie. However, the book is truly amazing because it would be impossible to cram all of its rich content into just a couple of hours.

There are countless small stories within its pages, each a deep and engaging vignette that adds to the book's layered and multi-faceted feel. And every single one of these stories is highly entertaining.

The setting of the book is diverse, encompassing the jungle, the plains, and the mountains. The magic unfolds gradually, starting with the cats growing larger than normal cats and leading up to something truly extraordinary. I can't reveal what that is, but let me tell you, it's incredibly fun and satisfying.

This is not just a story about dingleberries. It's a book that delves into wars and revolutions, religion, alchemy, farming, tricks, and politics. Naturally, there are elements of death, torture, rape, human trafficking, and economics. But there are also heroic men and women who, in the end, are both human and possess superhuman or magical qualities.

There is love and sex, families, and even zombies that play a role in building the new city of Cochadebajo de los Gatos. The ending is both satisfying and leaves the door open for more stories that I'm eagerly looking forward to reading soon.

This was truly higher than a 4-star for me.

It wasn't quite a 5-star, but I'm having difficulty pinpointing the reason. Maybe I'm concerned that what I liked about it was a bit too personal and might not resonate with others.

The first thing that struck me about this book was the setting. I spent a significant amount of time in Ecuador and Chile and a great deal of time studying the region. De Bernieres does an excellent job of creating a synthesized meta-history of the individual countries in the region in the late-20th century.

The political in-fighting, which seems absurd as it's based more on the names of movements than any actual ideology, let alone specific platforms. The terrors that humans were willing and able to inflict on each other in pursuit of those nebulous titles. And yet, the magic that's undeniable if you spend any time in the Andes. For me, this was very nostalgic and comforting, a nice reminder of an earlier part of my life.

The next aspect I'd like to highlight is the language. De Bernieres clearly has a masterful vocabulary and isn't afraid to flaunt it. I didn't find the use of words I didn't know off-putting. Instead, once I learned what a word meant, I nearly always realized how incredibly accurate it was in describing the item or event. And it had to be that way. Other words wouldn't have been as effective. Along with this, I found his descriptions very evocative, both for the better and the worse.

I will almost certainly come back for the other two books in the trilogy. However, I do think the writing could easily lead to series fatigue. So I'm planning on waiting until I'm moved to return and not rushing back for the sake of it.

The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts by Louis De Bernieres is a remarkable and ambitious first novel that was published in 1990. It has been given a 4-star rating. Bernieres creates an imaginary Latin American country with a jumbled history, topography, and language. The story features nearly 40 characters whose lives intersect in a complex web that includes guerilla war, military corruption, paranormal intervention, brutality, passion, outrageous humor, and biting satire.

Reading this book requires great attention to detail. At first, it may seem that the characters and situations are only loosely connected, but as the story progresses, the intricate web becomes clear. I initially read the book in short intervals, but I found that I lost the connections and had difficulty understanding pivotal events. When I sat down to read for longer periods, I was able to grasp the complexity of the story and appreciate the intertwined lives of the characters.

I was mildly disappointed that Don Emmanuel’s nether parts play a very minor role in the story. Instead, it is essentially the story of an impoverished village and its hilarious victory over the corrupt military establishment. The surreal salvation of the village is the weakest part of the story, but the individual characters are drawn realistically and with great affection and humor. Bernieres also has an underlying social agenda, touching on issues such as US military intervention, drug trafficking, and the Falklands Island conflict.

There are many similarities between this book and Bernieres’ later work, Birds Without Wings. However, the later book is stronger, perhaps due to the use of first person narrative. In Birds Without Wings, the characters are allowed to speak for themselves, which makes them come alive in a more vivid way. Overall, The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts is a great read that showcases Bernieres’ talent as a writer.