Pedro’s review of El Tercer Reich > Likes and Comments

See? Spanish writers seem to accomplish "mood" or "atmosphere" better than any other writers on this planet! What is it? Paella?

Yes, Julie, Roberto Bolaño is an absolute master at that. Not for a single second did I forget I was reading a story about people staying at a hotel by the seaside in Spain during the summer.

I actually felt as if I’d been there myself — which is saying something, considering how much my body is begging for a few rays of sunshine.

Pedro wrote: "...I actually felt as if I’d been there myself — which is saying something, considering how much my body is begging for a few rays of sunshine..."

I actually felt I was reading this book alongside you, Pedro, your review draws me in to Bolaño's story and your own experience so well. And I was reminded of some sections in The Savage Detectives.

This one got under my skin all those years ago, and not having a review for it on here always felt like a stone in my shoe. It’s so good I’ll probably end up reading it for a third time somewhere down the line.

Your comment makes me very happy, Fionnuala. Thank you. Mission accomplished then. ☺️

Wow! You need to stop writing such irresistible reviews, Pedro! :D I want to have a pile of books next to me with your recommendations attached :) I think it's time for me to get back to Bolaño. It's already been a couple of years since I read that monster of a book for some holiday reading ;) What do you think should be next, for me?

Candi, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t love to know what you think of this one. But I also didn’t want to pretend it’s the kind of book anyone would automatically fall in love with.

And you know what else? I’d be very curious to hear what a crime fiction reader would make of the way Roberto Bolaño builds tension and suspense.

Do you want to read Distant Star with me? It’s short!

Pedro wrote: "Candi, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t love to know what you think of this one. But I also didn’t want to pretend it’s the kind of book anyone would automatically fall in love with.

And you know..."

You will find out what I think of this, one of these days, friend! I bet a reader of popular crime fiction wouldn’t take to this well lol.

Yes, please! Let’s read Distant Star!!

I’m now here anxiously waiting for your review of this one, Candi. Aha.

And you’re right — I don’t think readers of popular crime fiction would take too well to the kind of suspense Roberto Bolaño builds.

So let’s think about a date for our buddy read of Distant Star then. I’ve always wanted to read it. ☺️

Tempting review, Pedro. I like books where something (rather so much) can be made out of nothing at all. Will check this one out, thank you!

Thank you, Vishakha.

I’d love to see this one mentioned more often on here, but I can’t pretend the author doesn’t leave a lot for the reader to figure out — because he really does. It’s crazy, but like I mentioned, I honestly have no idea what any of these characters were really up to.

It probably sounds strange, I know, but I love it so much exactly because of that.

Pedro wrote: "I’m now here anxiously waiting for your review of this one, Candi. Aha.

And you’re right — I don’t think readers of popular crime fiction would take too well to the kind of suspense Roberto Bolaño..."

Haha! Well, this one will be down the road further if we're going to read Distant Start together. We will chat :) :)

Candi, let’s do it next month! I need to get a copy and all that jazz. Yes — Roberto Bolaño for Easter. Perfect, yeah? 😂

Pedro wrote: "Candi, let’s do it next month! I need to get a copy and all that jazz. Yes — Roberto Bolaño for Easter. Perfect, yeah? 😂"

So funny! Yes, for Easter - why not?! :D I should make sure I can get a copy as well :)

Not long now, Candi. And you know I’m a funny lad. 😂

It sounds a bit like Knausgård. Nothing happens yet, mysteriously, you keep turning the pages. I struggled through parts of 2666 but loved Bolaño's complete poems, so this intrigues.

Totally get the comparison, Ken, but Roberto Bolaño is all about mood and atmosphere, whereas — based on the only one of his I’ve read — Karl Ove Knausgård seems more concerned with inner life and emotion. And he’s easier to read, too.

I’ve now read nine books by Bolaño — two of them, including this one, twice — and I’ve struggled with all of them at various points. The reason I keep going back is his writing. It’s outstanding. He was also an excellent storyteller, but like every great writer, he wrote about what interested him. He wasn’t trying to please us. He was showing us how it’s done.

And the mood… oh, the mood… it’s there all the time, quietly humming beneath the surface.