The best way to get to know and fall in love with Perez-Reverte is through his brilliant weekly articles filled with black humor and irony.

His writing style is unique and captivating, drawing readers in with his witty remarks and clever observations.

Each article is like a little gem, offering a glimpse into his creative mind and his ability to find humor in the most unexpected places.

Whether he is writing about current events, pop culture, or just everyday life, Perez-Reverte always manages to put a fresh and entertaining spin on things.

His use of language is masterful, with a rich vocabulary and a talent for crafting sentences that are both engaging and thought-provoking.

So if you're looking for a new way to discover the magic of Perez-Reverte, look no further than his weekly articles. You're sure to be charmed and entertained from start to finish.

Leo Estos artículos tan a menudo que he decidido que vivan en mi baño. Así es. Me hacen reír y llorar, y dicen verdades con un tono tan familiar que parece que es mi propio padre hablando.

These articles have such a profound impact on me. I find myself constantly drawn to them, reading and rereading. They have become a part of my daily routine, and I have even decided to keep them in my bathroom for easy access.

The words within these articles have the power to evoke a wide range of emotions in me. They can make me burst out laughing one moment and bring tears to my eyes the next. What's more, the truths they convey are presented in such a familiar tone that it feels as if my own father is speaking directly to me.

I am truly grateful for these articles and the wisdom they impart. They have become a source of inspiration and comfort in my life, and I know that I will continue to cherish them for a long time to come.

The current public is ready to swallow anything. Newspapers no longer offer new ideas and do not demand them from politicians. You will get nothing from them but stupidity or slander.

The author of the quote is a Spanish writer who has become popular all over the world thanks to truly good novels such as "The Flanders Panel", "The Shadow of the Falcon", "The Secret Meridian", "Skin for a Drum" of the cycle about Captain Alatriste and others. But if in novels Pérez-Reverte appears as a talented novelist, then in "With the Intention of Offending" we see a bitter and attentive publicist. "With the Intention of Offending" is a collection of selected essays from a weekly column that Pérez-Reverte has been writing for ten years in the Spanish weekly "Semanal". The writer speaks on absolutely any topics: the quality of work of Spanish airlines and tango in Buenos Aires, modern women and old movies, power and religion, chance encounters and unexpected historical facts. And he speaks extremely honestly and sincerely. It's like a snapshot in which all the details are the main ones. Like any southerner, the author is emotional. His essays are as scalding as coffee and as stabbing as a rapier thrust. His supranationality is amazing. In texts dedicated to political and social issues, the word "Spain" can be replaced by "Russia", and "Madrid" by "Moscow", "Novosibirsk", "Bratsk" - the meaning does not change. The writer is not afraid to expose: the Pope of Rome and director Almodóvar, the "fathers of the nation" and the international economy, officials of all ranks and masters. But whatever Pérez-Reverte writes about: each text is like a small discovery.

Subtle humor (sometimes through gritted teeth), sarcasm, anger, irony, cynicism, passion, wisdom. Prose of the highest quality.

Prose of a person for whom the word "homeland" is not just six letters.

Prose of a person who has seen so much in this life that it would be enough for seven people, but still - does not lose hope...

In addition, I believe that "With the Intention of Offending" should become a desktop book for any journalist.

Four hundred and ninety-six pages of a convincing answer to the question - "how to write".

And another quote, I can't resist: "Since in our country, if this cursed hole blessed by God can, of course, be considered a country, political discussions have long turned into port brawls, disgusting dumps, and no opposing side arouses the slightest sympathy. Everyone demonstrates the same stupidity and meanness."

Mr. Reverte's earlier articles have always been a source of great interest and inspiration.

These works, which date back to an earlier time, offer a unique perspective on various topics.

They are filled with his deep insights, sharp analysis, and engaging writing style.

Each article seems to tell a story, taking the readers on a journey through different ideas and concepts.

The language used is vivid and descriptive, making it easy for the readers to understand and relate to the content.

Whether it's about politics, culture, or society, Mr. Reverte's earlier articles have something to offer for everyone.

They are a testament to his talent as a writer and his ability to capture the essence of a subject in a few words.

Even though they were written some time ago, they still hold relevance today and continue to be read and studied by many.

Overall, Mr. Reverte's earlier articles are a valuable addition to the literary world and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring different perspectives and ideas.

Every fanatic of Arturo Pérez Reverte's work must read this collection of writings. I bought this book in a bookstore in Chile during a pleasure trip not because I was interested in reading it but simply because it was one of the books of Reverte that I was missing from his collection. After being stored for a year, I picked it up to read it because I really needed to read something by the author. And truly, I regret a thousand times not having read it before. It is a really extremely interesting and charming book that you can't put down. In it, you will find answers to many of your doubts about where the characters and stories of his novels come from. Here I learned about the origin of the name of his great character Alatriste. In short, I was left with such a good taste of the book that I already have his other two publications: Patente de Corso and No me cogeréis vivo. Highly recommended.

The second installment of the collection of opinion articles that the Cartagena writer publishes every Sunday in the XL Semanal.

His sharp and biting pen offers opinions on any possible topic, whether current or not. One may or may not agree with them, but the literary result is outstanding.

The writer's ability to analyze and present his views in a thought-provoking manner is truly remarkable.

Each article challenges the reader to think deeply and consider different perspectives.

Whether it's a political issue, a social concern, or a cultural phenomenon, the writer approaches it with a unique and incisive style.

The collection of articles is a must-read for anyone interested in engaging with diverse ideas and expanding their intellectual horizons.

It provides a platform for the writer to share his insights and for the readers to engage in a meaningful dialogue.

Overall, the segunda entrega of the collection of opinion articles is a valuable contribution to the literary and intellectual landscape.

With the intention of admiration. How wonderful it is when there are beloved people! To a certain extent, this can also be attributed to beloved authors, whose books you always take, eagerly anticipating the time spent with pleasure (and a myriad of other most pleasant feelings).

When you absolutely don't want to experiment, when you repeatedly receive confirmation that the old truth that an old friend is better than two new ones may be banal, but by no means wrong, then you reach out and take the volume with the familiar initials on the spine from the shelf, and immerse yourself in your own small personal paradise, a cozy little world that the rain or snow of the outside world cannot shake as long as you are together, as long as the lines of black letters on the silent white paper last, as long as the BOOK lasts. The book of your favorite author. One of those accessible, but incredibly powerful pleasures.

Thank you, Arturo! You have never let me down. Paraphrasing Vysotsky, "when I stumble over poems, when neither to the sizes nor to the rhymes," I take one of your books and know for sure that "in spite of all my deeds on earth and in the face of all my cares on earth," you will take me into the sea (/captivating story/adventure/war), from which I will return, perhaps a little better than I was before.

The collection of essays "With the Intention to Offend" is magnificent! I was amazed, admired, agreed (which is more often) and argued (yes, yes, I don't agree with you in everything, Arturo. But views on war are never objective for anyone and never - it is impossible to stay on the line dividing the two warring sides, it is suicidal to stand under crossfire, and we always choose our own trench, and on the other we look in the crossroads with either rifles or cameras. Therefore, let's leave our different opinions about the war in Yugoslavia and Chechnya. Or let's argue. Remember the plush teddy bear, and then your own *Serbia is Guilty*. What is the truth?..).

Probably, the articles of Pessoa-Reverte are witty, politically incorrect, sarcastic, about everything in the world, a bit pompous in places, incredibly relevant and thought-provoking - the best articles not only in the Spanish language, but also in general at the moment among their kind. Ah, yes - I'm not objective. But, nevertheless, this is a fact!

Pérez Reverte in his later years. Pérez Reverte the dreamer ("His dream is to retire and go fishing when he can"), Pérez Reverte the pitbull ("You will remember, dear sweetheart, my disinterested advice from last week to succeed as a local model"), Pérez Reverte after all. Have I told you that I love Pérez Reverte? Even without agreeing with him on everything (far from it), I love how he defends his ideas when he does defend them. Other times he gets away with it, like when the other day he showed up on Twitter repeating that about the 450,000 politicians. But he is human, dear readers. Reverte is human and a fantastic writer, especially of articles and war novels.

He has a unique style that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. His works are filled with vivid descriptions and complex characters that come to life on the page. Whether it's a thrilling war story or a thought-provoking article, Pérez Reverte always manages to make an impact.

Despite any differences in opinion, his talent and passion for writing are undeniable. He continues to produce great works that are enjoyed by readers around the world. Long may he continue to write and share his stories with us.

Junio de 2005.

It was the month of June in 2005. Something very special took place during this time.

Importado desde Argentina. Librería Cúspide.

It was imported from Argentina. The source was the renowned Librería Cúspide. This importation brought with it a touch of Argentinean culture and a wealth of knowledge.

The items imported might have been books, perhaps rare and precious ones that could not be found easily elsewhere. Or maybe they were other literary treasures that would enrich the collection of the local library or bookstore.

Whatever the case may be, the importation from Argentina in June 2005 via Librería Cúspide was an event that left a lasting impression and added a unique flavor to the literary scene.

I typically make an effort not to read reviews or descriptions of books just before delving into them. This is because I enjoy going into a book with relatively little prior knowledge. However, this approach backfired on me this time.

My husband's niece passed away on July 22, and we were completely devastated. The circumstances were not violent, but when I opened the book and saw two violently dead bodies on one of the initial pages, followed by a scene in a funeral, I was rather taken aback. I have no issue with violence in general. I was just a bit shocked because I was feeling particularly sensitive and raw due to the niece's death, and I had forgotten what this graphic novel was about.

The art in the graphic novel is quite good, deserving a 4-star rating. However, I noticed that almost all of the characters' faces are squished, which is a bit odd. There are some funny lines, but it also has a creepy atmosphere. Interestingly, I find myself longing to live in the house depicted in the story. Well, maybe not with the magic doors, but still.

I have one relatively minor complaint. I can barely distinguish where the chapters or issues stop and start. The dark text used to mark a chapter is difficult to see, which is annoying since I like to read the novel in segments during my lunch breaks at work.

The time jumps in the story, alternating between before and after the murders, keep confusing me. I understand that they are probably necessary for the narrative, but they still manage to mix me up. Fortunately, it gets better towards the ending chapters. I was mostly confused at the beginning, but things gradually cleared up towards the end. Moreover, the pace picked up, and now I have a greater desire to read more of it. I would rate the story a 4 stars as well.

Favorite Quote: “Mother Mary on the Rag!” LOL

The collection of essays by a correspondent who has been on more than one war; a person who loves his homeland very much but does not love his state.

This correspondent has witnessed the horrors and atrocities of war firsthand, which has deepened his love for his homeland. However, his views on the state may be influenced by various factors, such as political corruption, social inequality, and the abuse of power.

In his essays, he may express his concerns and criticisms about the state, while also highlighting the importance of patriotism and the need to defend the homeland. His writing may serve as a wake-up call for the government and society to address the existing problems and work towards a better future for the country and its people.

Overall, the collection of essays offers a unique perspective on the relationship between an individual and his homeland, as well as the role of the state in safeguarding the interests and well-being of its citizens.

A book to read while having a coffee; a little bit every day in between books. It is a selection of articles by the author over a period of 4 years. These articles cover a wide range of topics and offer various perspectives. Many of them will leave you reflecting in a very pleasant way. You can explore different ideas, gain new insights, and expand your knowledge. It's like taking a journey through the author's thoughts and experiences. Whether you're looking for inspiration, entertainment, or just a good read, this collection of articles has something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee while delving into the pages of this wonderful book.