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The Disappeared
A riveting tale about love and sacrifice by a National Book Award winner. The Disappeared. Los desaparecidos. This is the name given to those who opposed Argentina?s dictatorial government and were kidnapped to ensure their silence. With her hometown of Buenos Aires ensconsced in the political nightmare, Silvia devises a plan to save her missing brother. She?ll make Norber...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
June 12th 2008
by Dial
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This is a powerful short story told with eloquent simplicity. Its subject matter is serious: the political persecution and violation of human rights by Argentina's government in the 1970s, focusing on the student protestors who 'disappeared', taken as prisoners in a kind of witch-hunt for those who were thought to oppose the government.
While showing that the student protesters fought for a just cause, Whelan helps the reader to think deeply about whether some forms of rash rebellion could be hal...more
While showing that the student protesters fought for a just cause, Whelan helps the reader to think deeply about whether some forms of rash rebellion could be hal...more
A real mixed bag. On the one hand, this story sheds light on the terrifying subject of political violence through imprisonment and torture. It takes place in Argentina in the 1970's as Silvia's brother Eduardo becomes one of los Deseparecidos after protesting against the repressive military dictatorship. The book brings discusses the importance of political speech and the right to protest. It's also a moving story of the bond between siblings, as it is told through unwritten letters between Silv...more
This book, told as letters from two siblings to each other, takes the reader deep into the Argentina suffering under the rule of General Videla.
Gloria Whelan manages to tell the deeply moving story of Eduardo disappearing, and Silvia going down a dangerous path to find him, in very simple words, without complications and unnecessary pathos. There is anger, and violence, and people are hurt, but there is also humanity and hope.
This book is short, but make no mistake, for it will capture you fro...more
Gloria Whelan manages to tell the deeply moving story of Eduardo disappearing, and Silvia going down a dangerous path to find him, in very simple words, without complications and unnecessary pathos. There is anger, and violence, and people are hurt, but there is also humanity and hope.
This book is short, but make no mistake, for it will capture you fro...more
Things I liked about this book:
- The portrayal of Buenos Aires. Whelan obviously either spent an extended amount of time (like I said) in BA or again, carefully researched the unique culture of that city. Unlike other books set in Argentina I've read, I felt I was actually in Buenos Aires and that this story couldn't have taken place anywhere but Buenos Aires and Argentina (whereas in other books, I could easily imagine the story taking place in another Latin American country and that for some r...more
- The portrayal of Buenos Aires. Whelan obviously either spent an extended amount of time (like I said) in BA or again, carefully researched the unique culture of that city. Unlike other books set in Argentina I've read, I felt I was actually in Buenos Aires and that this story couldn't have taken place anywhere but Buenos Aires and Argentina (whereas in other books, I could easily imagine the story taking place in another Latin American country and that for some r...more
The novel The Disappeared by Gloria Whelan was a very good historical fiction book. It is during the time of the Dirty War which took place in Argentina from 1976-1983. The storyline is a little of a stretch, but it worked well. This book is about a college student who goes against the dictatorship in Argentina and is then taken away by the military. His younger sister then works to try and free him from the prison he is being held in. I think Whelan wrote this book to remind and inform people o...more
Feb 28, 2009
Raiven
added it
I love this boook I absolutly love it I couldn't put it down and coming from me that means alot because I usually hate books i hate to read unless I choose it and the cover seems interesting I will read it but this book is;sad,interesting,draws the reader in,drama, like a survival of the fittest but it's more like a family survival thing and it's like everyone in Argentina is a family just dealing with the same issues and problems and just everyone wanting to get out of it and be happy and to no...more
So the other day I was looking for a book on one of my rare trips to the Teen section in the library looking for a book and I spotted this one out of the corner of my eye because the cover is BEAUTIFUL! I think it's stunning so without even glancing at what it was about I added it to my stack of books that I'd be borrowing.
It wasn't until I came home that I read the inside cover to see what it was about that I realized I could use it in my Around the World Challenge. This book took me back in t...more
I was not familiar with the hardships of military rule in Argentina during 1977. I really enjoyed the epilogue, so I could get a better historical perspective. I really enjoy historical fiction like this book, because not only do I enjoy the story, but I feel like I have learned about some of Argentina’s history. When I read historical fiction I expect a story loosely based on historical facts, not a full documentary. Like myself, I hope students read this book enjoying the story like any other...more
The truth can be indescribably strange; even so it seems impossible that this story could unfold the way Whelan has imagined it. I can accept that Argentina’s history of state-sponsored terrorism and torture must be every bit as horrific as Whelan describes, and more. And the risks that Eduardo and his sister Silvia face in opposing the military junta seem real enough. But as the plot tension builds, the ties to historical reality snap away.
I don’t especially like the back-and-forth heart-to-he...more
I don’t especially like the back-and-forth heart-to-he...more
This book was purchased on a whim one day at my local Five Below for less than $2 (I had no idea they sold books!). It's a book I would've gladly payed suggested retail price for and has become a favorite of mine.
Told from the points of view of siblings Silvia and Eduardo, The Disappeared paints a terrifying portrait of life in 1970s Argentina. Ruled by power hungry dictators, citizens were taught to fear their government. One misspoken word and you or a loved one would be taken away, tortured a...more
Told from the points of view of siblings Silvia and Eduardo, The Disappeared paints a terrifying portrait of life in 1970s Argentina. Ruled by power hungry dictators, citizens were taught to fear their government. One misspoken word and you or a loved one would be taken away, tortured a...more
I think if I was a teacher at about a 5th grade level this would be a good introductory text to use to talk about human rights and Latin America. It's a very simplistic tale, told from the POVs of two siblings who write letters to each other while one is imprisoned under a military junta. It definitely takes a lot of whitewashing approaches to the torture that we know went on, and is wrapped up in a neat little happy ending. Which is of course, a rare occurrence in these situations.
Definitely a...more
Definitely a...more
Meh. I love Gloria Whelan, but this one just didn't do much of anything for me. I felt dragged into the story too early with a pretty obvious expose of the time and setting, which was a little abrupt, okay, way too abrupt. This made it feel too "un-subtle?" While the gender roles are played with a little bit as Silvia steps up and tries to act to free her brother, action is still seen as typical for boys- Eduardo and the dad- but requires the removal and threat to one of the female's kin to insp...more
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I am so profoundly disturbed by this book the the horror that occurred in Chile for years and years. I briefly dated Pinochet's grandson, and only when he revealed himself, did I learn the history of Chile - much of it from my Latino friends. I still wonder how he could tell me his grandfather was just misunderstood. Needless to say, I stopped taking his phone calls.
I love Gloria Whelan's writing - such strong voice and tone - it will stay with me for days.
I love Gloria Whelan's writing - such strong voice and tone - it will stay with me for days.
The author, Gloria Whelan, is a National Book Award winner, and does a terrific job of presenting this story of the Desaparecidos of Argentina during the 1970's. This story is told from two viewpoints, the voice of Silvia, a teenage girl of some privilege, and that of her older brother, Eduardo. It is scary and enlightening, and a great way to learn of this tragic era in Argentina's history. Perfect for middle school students.
Nov 03, 2010
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-ya,
read-historical-fiction
This novel, told in alternating chapters from the points of view of a brother and sister, takes place in Argentina in 1977 during the time of the Disappeared, when the military, who were in control of the government, were kidnapping, torturing, and killing anyone whom they suspected opposed them. Eduardo is taken by the military, so his sister Silvia sets out to try to get him released. She is a naive character, and makes some bad though well-meaning decisions. The story was very suspenseful, as...more
Whelan's work is amazing for its range of subject. In this book she takes on Argentina in the 1970s, when people were taken away and never seen again. These political abductees became known as "The Disappeared." Whelan manages to convey the fear and horror of that era without going into the gore. This book should appeal to sophisticated teen readers with an interest in history and global affairs.
The Disappeared is a quick glimpse of the dangerous world of Argentina in the 1970s. Although the book is brief, it would work well to introduce young readers to a period in history that they probably know little about. The ending may seem a bit too perfect and easy, but readers will still be left with a sense of horror and sadness about the plight of the Disappeared of Argentina.
The Disappeared takes place during the Dirty War in the 1970s when the authoritarian and militarized Argentine government kidnapped, tortured, and murdered nearly thirteen thousand people who would come to be known as “los desaparecidos” (the disappeared). The book alternates between the perspectives of brother and sister, Eduardo and Silvia, after Eduardo is kidnapped and imprisoned for subversive activities. Intended for age 13 and older.
This was a really intersting book about a sister and a brother living through the political and social nightmare that engulfed Argentina in the 1970s. I learned a lot about what that country and its citizens went through while enjoying Whelan's beautiful prose. A quick, easy read with a heavy, thoughtful subject matter.
I was interested in this book because the book is set in Buenos Aires and it was interesting to learn more about the history of the place where he is living. It really was one of those books that took my to a place I would never have experienced and made me understand a little better what dictators are like.
I really admire this book for how it revolves around children, during the dictatorship of Argentina, it adds a sense of innocence as the main female character devises a plan to save her brother. I like how its a happy yet sad ending because although her whole family survives, it explains, that is not the case for most of Argentina. They were the lucky ones, as many families were broken apart after the kidnappings of endless amounts of people at the time.
The writing is not particularly good, and the story is not very realistic, but the tragedy of Argentina's 1970's history is worth being told. I will recommend this book to my teens as an introduction to liberty, right to protest a bad government, etc. But it is a very introductory source on the matters.
This part of Argentine history was happening when Thor was in Argentina. Thor knew a few people that were taken away by the police, but fortunately they were returned. It was a fascinating little book about a sister's love for her brother and the risks she would take to try to save him.
The subject was interesting, but I couldn't get into the characters. Maybe it was the format it was written in, with the siblings taking turns telling their story to each other? Not sure, but it wasn't as engaging as the other Gloria Whelan books I have read.
This was a book I saw on display at the library and checked it out by chance. It's a quick read, like a day read but I couldn't put it down. I love how the author told the story of a broken Argentina in a brother sister relationship. Good, quick read!
Historical fiction which helped me learn about the missing people in Argentina. I'm not often in the mood for Whelan's writing style, but she does a great job of bringing light to little know historical and cultural events.
A very quick read. The historical aspects of the novel are fascinating - dealing with those who "disappeared" during the political unrest in the 1970s. However, the characters weren't engaging and I didn't care for the writing style. I felt the book was written for a younger audience - maybe early teens.
A sobering reminder of Argentina's troubled past. This book presents the turbulent 1970's Buenos Aires in an approachable manner, and is the perfect way to ease teenage readers into historical political oppression.
This author is great at writing historical fiction that is appropriate for 4th grade and up to adult. This one was about the unrest in Argentina in the 70's. I really enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
Jul 25, 2011
Tori
added it
2009- Mainly read this book because it was about ""The Dirty War"" in Argentina, and it's not something I've ever seen touched on in YA lit. It was just okay, in my opinion.
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Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Friutlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on this Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods...more
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