Reviews

The Investigation by Juan José Saer

montescrito's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I was recommended this book by a writing course instructor because the prose of Saer reminded him of my prose in an exercise. despite my admiration for Saer, for being able to wisely construct such complex sentences while keeping the flame alive, the plotline fell flat right after chapter 1. unfortunately it might be related to the slow pace sentenced by the structure of the sentences, so descriptive and detailed, with so much thought in the placing of words; however, it could also be explained through the theme itself which would be more of a personal preference, simply put. I'm quite certain I would enjoy Saer's touch in a different context and under different circumstances. exclusively-plot-driven books resist me.  

piotrjawor's review against another edition

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4.0

Pierwsza wydana po polsku książka JJS... w 2016 roku.
Żyjemy w Pipidówie, w dalszym ciągu na obrzeżach cywilizowanego świata, czy nam się to podoba, czy nie. Nie zmieni tego żadna ustawa, żadna Narodowa Fundacja, żaden podpis któregokolwiek "prezydenta". Choćby Naczelnik-Gospodarz wzbił się w kolejnym uniesieniu pod niebiosa, z lotu widać jeno grajdół. Widać tyle, co tak genialnie opisał Nowak w "Galicyanach".
Świetna książka, niezwykle wysmakowana literatura. Znakomite - zapewne - tłumaczenie.
Przewrotna fabuła, będąca przede wszystkim pretekstem to wyrafinowanej i niezwykle wciągającej przygody ... ze snuciem opowieści jako takiej.
Trzeba wspierać wydawcę by na tym nie poprzestał:
http://universitas.com.pl/kategoria/188/LAS-AM%C3%89RICAS-NIEZNANA-KLASYKA-LITERATURY-LATYNOSKIEJ

hixmaya's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

saer, siempre serás maravilloso

sofiserrizuela's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

carlosernesto's review against another edition

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5.0

Fascinating little novel about a serial killer in Paris, the police investigators attempting to track him down, three friends chatting in an Argentine diner, a mysterious manuscript and the fall of Troy.

theluckymexican's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Es realmente aburrido si no haz leído más obras de Saer 

tocayadelacapuleto_'s review against another edition

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5.0

Declaro que está es una de mis novelas favoritas de la vida.

chokherbaly's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

anatl's review against another edition

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4.0

A philosophical detective fiction that weaves together two or three stories that seem hardly related. A bunch of friends traveling the rivers of Argentina in search of a mysterious author. A policeman in Paris pursues the brutal murderer of more than twenty elderly women. There is also another very symbolical story about a younger soldier and an older soldier- each has a different perspective on the Trojan war. I have read this in Hebrew and found the writing style laborious and unwieldy. Not sure if it’s a reflection on the author’s style, or the poetic license of the translation vying for a more literary aesthetic.

leandro's review against another edition

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3.0

La forma de escribir de Saer es contundente: domina el castellano y lo moldea como quiere, produciendo en cada oración una idea interesante y bellamente expresada. Lamentablemente me quedé con gusto a poco. La novela/relato es bastante corta (180 páginas) y -a propósito- queda en suspenso. Después seguía una charla que había tenido con Piglia donde se ve que este relato forma parte de una serie donde los personajes vuelven a aparecer y supongo que eso va completando el cuadro. Yo tenía otras expectativas porque no sabía de esos trabajos y solamente había leido El Entenado que es una novela extraordinaria que, justo al revés de La Pesquisa, se encarga de cerrar una historia ignota pero interesantísima que arranca cuando Solís pone pie en suelo rioplatense y es asesinado inmediatamente por indios (lo cual está bueno porque yo siempre hinché por lo indios). Creo que Saer es un autor que hay que leer más. Una frase chistosa que dice uno de los protagonistas de La Pesquisa y que me gustó mucho: "es demasiado honesto como para confiar en él". Qué gran frase!!!