Louis De Bernieres’s book The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts is truly a remarkable piece of literature that should be both widely read and widely taught.

In the numerous books I’ve reviewed, this is the first and only one that has had such a profound impact on me, compelling me to offer an unconditional endorsement in my lead sentence. The book is a perfect blend of thoughtfulness and entertainment. Its magical elements open up the possibility of figurative readings that go beyond what ordinary realism can achieve. The characters, with their endearing caricatures, are refreshingly free from the self-absorbed sensibilities that often slow down the pacing in many contemporary realist fictions.

However, De Bernieres’s real magic lies in the palpable, material quality of the book’s action. The Battle of Chiriguana, which details a peasant wedding and the subsequent food fight, is the most delightful chapter of fiction I’ve ever come across. His language is equally captivating; the chapter-long description of the teeming, perpetually dusk jungle is a tour de force of vivid description that will make you squirm even while you’re sitting comfortably in your plush recliner.

De Bernieres’s gift for instructive parody is also evident. His satirical take on military and civilian leaders in the fictional South American country he has created is filled with hilarity and prescience. It offers a unique and humanizing introduction to La Violencia and Latin America’s dirty wars.

Some may object to my characterization, but to do so is to misunderstand the concept of humanization. The book is not “tragicomic” because of the violence in the fictional world; rather, it is because it is so painfully recognizable to anyone with even a basic understanding of the region’s history. It reminds us, in no uncertain terms, of the barbarous things humans are capable of.

De Bernieres writes as if through a wide-angle lens, positioned at a distance from his creation. This gives his message a broad applicability. After learning about the corrupt police officer Hatem in the movie This Is Chaos, I couldn’t help but think of how The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts is not just a story of the Americas, but of all the places where humans are brutal, savage, and corrupt.

How wonderful it would be if this book were required reading in every undergraduate political philosophy course. Don Emmanuel is a classic Diogenean character, and moving students from dry academic treatises to the irreverent and tangible world De Bernieres has created would be a powerful educational experience. Consider a generation of young people who associate human rights not with legalistic pronouncements, but with the vivid images in this book. De Bernieres’s portrayal of Colonel Asado is a powerful indictment of how absolute power corrupts.

Eric Hobsbawm’s words about Machiavelli’s enjoyment of the truth because it shocks the naive also apply to De Bernieres. This is chaos, and we should encourage the naive to read this book over and over again. © Jeffrey L. Otto, September 18, 2018

Great start, whacky whacky finish.

De Berniere is truly amazing when it comes to creating a world. It is evident that he has conducted extensive research on Latin American culture, language, and history, and this is beautifully transcribed through his novel.

Every single character, regardless of how insignificant they may seem at first, has depth and a complex backstory, which is a characteristic of the author's style. While this makes for an enjoyable read, the sheer number of characters can sometimes lead to confusion.

The novel is a great choice for those who loved Captain Corelli, especially as there are many similar elements. However, the ending was a letdown for me. De Berniere has a rather whacky style, but the idea of defrosting long dead colonialists was just a bit too much.

Nevertheless, it is still worth reading if you have a love for history and a good sense of humor. It offers a unique and engaging perspective on Latin American history and culture, and despite its flaws, it is a novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

I am once again truly impressed by Louis de Bernieres. His remarkable ability to fully immerse himself in diverse cultures is highly deserving of respect.

As an individual residing in a Latin American country, I find no flaw in his vivid portrayal of the mindsets and thought processes of his characters. He presents the total corruption with honesty and yet manages to infuse it with a touch of humor. Similarly, the brutality and machinations of the police and army are depicted in a straightforward manner.

He adopts the magical-reality style that is characteristic of Latin American writers and not only masters it but even outdoes them in their own game. The extensive cast of characters, which includes poor natives, immigrants of all colors, guerrillas, clergy, and the military,

along with all their animals, truly sets this book apart and firmly places it among my all-time favorites.

I gave up on this book after the first 30 pages or so.

I found myself having to re-read numerous sections because so many characters were introduced.

There was an overwhelming amount of detail provided about their lives, which made it extremely difficult (at least for me) to keep all of them straight in my mind.

This quickly became irritating as I have very limited time to read.

I simply wasn't willing to continue with this book under these circumstances.

The excessive detail about the characters seemed to overshadow the actual story, making it a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.

I had hoped for a more engaging and straightforward read, but unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.

Perhaps others with more patience and a greater ability to handle complex character introductions might find more value in it, but for me, it was a disappointment.

I truly love de Bernieres' writing style. His works are filled with wit and cathartic tales that always manage to draw me in. I adored "Captain Corelli's" and while I only liked this one to a certain extent, it still had its charm.

The story centers around a diverse group of people in an imaginary South American country. Just like in "Captain Corelli's", it provides a great opportunity to learn about a culture that I have no prior knowledge of. I was fascinated by the explanations of the politics that influenced the military men, guerillas, and civilians. As is typical of de Bernieres, these elements are seamlessly integrated into the story, rather than feeling like a lecture. I might consider reading the next book in the series.

Regarding magical realism, I can't claim to love it as I detested "Love in the Time of Cholera". However, I am gradually getting more accustomed to the genre. I guess it's an acquired taste, and I'm willing to explore it further to see if my opinion might change.

Overall, de Bernieres' writing continues to intrigue me, and I look forward to seeing what else he has in store.

A slow-burn of magic realism awaits you, captivating you more and more as you progress through its pages. It is a literary gem that combines elements of hilarity and heartbreak in a seamless manner. The vivid and vibrant imagery it presents elicits strong vocal emotions from the reader, while its biting sarcasm and satire add an extra layer of depth and complexity.

This work is highly recommended for anyone who is a fan of the unique brand of magic realism that has its roots in South America. It will transport you to a world where the boundaries between the real and the magical are blurred, and where you will be constantly surprised and delighted by the author's imaginative and creative vision.

So, if you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, make you laugh out loud, and touch your heart, then look no further than this slow-burn of magic realism. It is a must-read for anyone who loves literature that pushes the boundaries and challenges the imagination.

Decently Entertaining

Entertainment comes in many forms, and when it's done decently, it can truly enhance our lives. Whether it's a captivating movie that takes us on a thrilling adventure, a hilarious comedy show that has us laughing out loud, or a thought-provoking book that expands our imagination, decently entertaining experiences have the power to engage and delight us.

Good entertainment doesn't have to be overly flashy or extravagant. It can be as simple as a beautiful piece of music that touches our hearts, a well-written story that keeps us on the edge of our seats, or a talented performer who brings a character to life. What matters is that it has the ability to hold our attention and make us forget about the stresses of the outside world for a while.

Decently entertaining also means that it has a certain level of quality and craftsmanship. It's not just about mindless amusement, but about presenting something that is well thought out, well executed, and has the potential to leave a lasting impression. So the next time you're looking for some entertainment, keep an eye out for those decently entertaining options that are sure to bring a smile to your face and a spark to your day.

From a European perspective on the matter, South America is "that continent with military barracks, drug cartels, and intense religious feelings" - and it is precisely these three phenomena that Bernières focuses on in his trilogy. And also on the uprisings against them, because all three try to control and limit people, and some of the heroes of the trilogy decide to fight against it.

The first part focuses on the army, repeated military coups, intrigues, violence, and the "disappearance" of enemies. And also on the pernicious influence of power - because the leader of the death squad is a completely classic case of a person who, despite initial objections, becomes obsessed with his "mission" and completely loses touch with reality (which also happens to Dionisio and El Inocente in the other parts). Bernières chose a rather humorous approach to the topic in places, and of all three parts, this one is definitely the most entertaining, and above all, the negotiating skills of Don Emmanuela really got to me. And of course, magical realism must not be missing - and here it really suited the story.

What gave me a bit of a problem from the start was the large number of characters - especially in the village and its surroundings. It took me quite a long time to orient myself and be able to assign the individual characters to the story again, but by the middle of the book it was better.

Of the whole trilogy, this part was probably my favorite, and I definitely don't regret deciding to read all three books. There was still something missing for a full five stars, but here it's like 4.5.

The context is that in 1001 Letters, the middle part of the trilogy - Seňor Vivo a drogový baron - but I decided to read the whole thing and in order.

The first sentence: "That week began really promisingly for Captain Rodrigo José Fuentes."

The last sentence: "At this point, the story of the war over Don Emmanuela's bottom ends. It is followed by the history of the town of Cochadebajo de los Gatos, the stories of the unattainable love of Remedios and Count Pompeyo Xavier de Estremadura, Anicy, Dionisia and the letters about the cat, as well as the account of the crusade against the new Albigensians and the terrible crimes of the new Inquisition."

De Bernieres' preposterous and satirical work is truly a remarkable piece. It is filled with tongue-in-cheek observations about the machinations of nation states, all based on his creation of an imaginary Latin American country.

In this fictional land, there is an endless battle raging between the government, the military, and the guerilleros, many of whom are communist. The civilians, unfortunately, bear the brunt of the consequences.

The Campasinos, or peasants, and the Indians are subjected to numerous horrors, which are described in great detail and variety. However, they also have a penchant for ribald hilarity.

Ultimately, they embark on a biblical-scale and magical exodus. Throughout the story, the 'f' word is used consistently, but as a verb rather than an adjective.

Consistent with this, there is regular happy taunting about the size of cojones. For me, it's a "guy" book, but what an imagination the author has, and he can really write.

My favorite part is when, during the exodus, the people are beset with a plague of cats that grow into amicable panthers. These panthers delay their pursuers by tripping up the advancing soldiers as they play with their shoelaces. It's a truly unique and entertaining scene.

Not realising this came as part of a threesome, I read this trilogy in completely the wrong order!

However, it didn't matter at all. I still thoroughly enjoyed each installment, and they function well as stand-alone novels.

This, the first part in the trilogy (which I read last), is no exception. De Berniere is truly a genius. He can effortlessly blend heartbreak, spirituality, comedy, history, politics, and fantasy in one superb novel.

The characters are wonderfully drawn. Despite the fact that there's a large number of them, and in the case of Colonel Asado, the author's description of a descent into violent, power-hungry villainy is extremely well-described.

At times, it's a difficult read because De Bernieres doesn't hold back when it comes to describing battle or torture. Nevertheless, this is ultimately a book that celebrates love, life, and the human spirit. It's a remarkable work that showcases the author's talent and creativity.

The story takes the reader on a journey through different emotions and experiences, making it a captivating and engaging read from start to finish.

Even though I read the trilogy out of order, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this particular book. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining read.

Roman picaresque en AmSud moderne, the 20th century is not so far away. It is an imaginary country, but one can recognize all the dictatorships in the area and of that era. They are ridiculed. Inevitably rubbing shoulders with the multiple communist or related revolutionary movements. Which are ridiculed just as much.

There is an undeniable core of truth. These dictatorships have maintained decades of cruelties along with personal enrichment. And the so-called "leftist" liberators have often been as bloodthirsty as the venerated and idealized Guevara.

The whole is treated in the most incredible and burlesque way. There is a lot of humor (often sacrificing to the vulgar) in these bloody accounts. Of course, it is caustic.

It is detailed but also relaxing, yes. However, if the era of these epics, on the same continent, is different from that of the masterpieces of Gabriel Garcia Marques, and the narrative also wants to be as epic, there is no comparison between the genius of Marques and the buffoonery of de Bernières. It is a bit tiring.

I had forgotten that two decades ago I read the books of De Bernières! What a mind, please, if they are fantastic. This was the first one I read and its complicated and very tight plot has many funny moments, hidden behind a real horror at the most terrifying beast in the world: us.

High-quality literature, guys. Something that I almost never read, haha.

It's truly remarkable how De Bernières weaves such intricate stories. The characters come alive on the page, and you can't help but be drawn into their world.

The way he explores the human condition is both profound and thought-provoking.

Even though the subject matter may be dark at times, there are still glimmers of hope and humor to be found.

Reading his books is like taking a journey through the depths of the human psyche, and it's an experience that I will never forget.

I highly recommend his works to anyone who enjoys intelligent and engaging literature.