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124th out of 170 books
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122 voters
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Happy Families: Stories
The internationally acclaimed author Carlos Fuentes, winner of the Cervantes Prize and the Latin Civilization Award, delivers a stunning work of fiction about family and love across an expanse of Mexican life, reminding us why he has been called “a combination of Poe, Baudelaire, and Isak Dinesen” (Newsweek).
In these masterly vignettes, Fuentes explores Tolstoy’s classic ...more
In these masterly vignettes, Fuentes explores Tolstoy’s classic ...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
September 23rd 2008
by Random House
(first published September 1st 2007)
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Readers familiar with distinguished novelist Carlos Fuentes (The Eagles Throne, 4 stars Sept/Oct 2006; This I Believe, 4 stars Selection May/June 2005) will recognize elements from his previous works: his formidable political outrage; his evocative language; and his fluid narrative style that incorporates stream-of-consciousness monologues, shifting perspectives, and irregular punctuation. Despite his penchant for experimental styles, critics considered Happy Families Fuentes most accessible w...more
Debo empezar diciendo que creí que su nombre representaba el de un gran escritor, lamentablemente su selección de cuentos sobre las “familias y sus demonios” son básicamente un despliegue de condescendencia snob hacia los clichés de familias mexicanas y no sólo mexicanas. Entre líneas me parece que lo que trata de decir o reflejar es cómo su familia era adepta a sentirse non plus ultra, y por lo tanto denostar a los mexicanos más pobres y algunos de clase media no ilustrada, es constante el uso ...more
I truly enjoyed this book because the stories focus on people that have different
problems in their families, immediate and extended. It is not an easy read but I
would hightly recommend it.
problems in their families, immediate and extended. It is not an easy read but I
would hightly recommend it.
El primero de Fuentes que no me gusta. Hay algunos relatos muy buenos, como si Fuentes pudiera escribir alguna vez mal, pero el conjunto me aburrió mucho. Ni modo. No siempre se puede...
Excelente representación de las costumbres, vicios y errores de las familias mexicanas. Desde las más humildes hasta las más complejas, desde las más simples hasta las más poderosas. Altamente recomendable, para leerlo y sobre todo para comprenderlo.
Great compilation of short stories. Fuentes includes a broad range of characters from different social classes, economic means, and forms of family structure.
As a whole it shows the great diversity of contemporary Mexican society and how "family" can be understood in more ways than the traditional nuclear mom+dad+kids way.
The stories themselves are full of life, intricate depth, and humor. It is a very enjoyable read especially for those interested in Latin Ame...more
As a whole it shows the great diversity of contemporary Mexican society and how "family" can be understood in more ways than the traditional nuclear mom+dad+kids way.
The stories themselves are full of life, intricate depth, and humor. It is a very enjoyable read especially for those interested in Latin Ame...more
Tan bonito... Me encantan sus palabras
I did not like the last story, but otherwise I found the writing in this very compelling and often poetic. He has a gift of writing and understanding people and families, in a kind of disturbing way. Most of my family relationships are not like anything in this book, but I found myself identifying with the root issues. I would probably give it 3.25 stars if you could do fractions.
Too artsy-fartsy for me. Couldn't really follow what was going on. It was like the author was enamored with portraying marriages with over the top descriptions of people living grim, violent, depressed lives. Yuck.
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this collection of stories of contemporary Mexican life is a rewarding yet disturbing read. all connected to families, their dysfunctionality reigns throughout.
Why do I keep on trying to like short stories when I know perfectly well I don't. But I like Fuentes. This will stay on my "currently-reading" for a long time...
Great writing because you know, it's Carlos Fuentes...but really depressing stories. Read at your own risk.
Could not get into this book.
meh
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Carlos Fuentes Macías is a Mexican writer and one of the best-known living novelists and essayists in the Spanish-speaking world. Fuentes has influenced contemporary Latin American literature, and his works have been widely translated into English and other languages.
Fuentes was born in Panama City, Panama; his parents were Mexican. Due to his father being a diplomat, during his childh...more
More about Carlos Fuentes...
Fuentes was born in Panama City, Panama; his parents were Mexican. Due to his father being a diplomat, during his childh...more
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“Love can isolate us from everything around us. But in its absence, we can be filled with the fear that something comparable exists.”
—
6 people liked it
“No, it's not that they're bad. It's that they're obliged to pretend they're good. They've been brought up to deceive and be cunning, to protect themselves from our society. I don't want to be like that.”
—
6 people liked it
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