This week’s reading was definitely a different feeling from the other books that we explored up until this point. I actually found this book to be one of the more enjoyable reads thus far, particularly because it really reminds me of a book I recently read–a Narcos literary adaptation that is about a Colombian National Police officer who is originally very passionate about his new job but quickly realizes the darker side of it (the CNP’s close ties and influence from Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel) and results in a deep moral conflict that he eventually forgoes and embraces. This theme of sacrifice reminds me deeply of what Captain Pantoja experiences at first too. It is evident that he takes his new position very seriously and is truly passionate about bettering the environment around him, but he eventually experiences a moral conflict with the development of the “Secret Service”. Aside from this, I won’t lie, I did feel a bit nervous to read this book at first because I felt like it would definitely cater to a dominantly male audience and could potentially portray women in a negative or objectifying light, but it ended up being okay to read in the end.
I also think that utilizing different forms of documentation and memory throughout the book was interesting and definitely gave a “diary” feel to it at times. The reports and other notes and even diary/journal entries themselves provided Llosa’s useful and diverse storytelling mechanisms. We see that even though Pantoja, the perfect candidate to oversee the Secret Service who is dedicated to his role, eventually succumbs to his environment by having his own mistress, the Brazilian, but in the end vouches for her respect after she died. Still, it at times felt a bit weird to read comedic elements that also discussed themes of rape and violence and military, while being combined with the objectification of women. However, I do completely understand that it was intended to be satirical. But, it did feel easier to read than some of the other books (for example, Borges, haha–it always comes back). But, perhaps one of my most favourite parts of the book, like a few of my other peers, was the letter between Pochita and her sister. It definitely reminded me of some conversations that my little sister and I have, especially now that we are both adults and can relate to each other a lot, and also enjoy sharing updates on aspects of our lives.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! My question for you is: What was a specific comedic moment that genuinely made you laugh? How did you feel about some of the ‘dark’ humour used throughout?
Among the many parodic features of this novel is the parody of the Latin American regionalist novels of the 30s and 40s. In them, the environment and its weight on individual personalities was everything: each action was determined, according to some of these authors, by the nature that surrounded the characters. Somehow this type of discourse also sneaks in here, among many others. Like Borges (ha), Vargas Llosa uses genres “outside literature” to make his own literature.
Hi Ashley! I really enjoyed reading your blog post and I loved that you brought up Narcos!! You mentioned how you felt nervous reading this book because of how they might portray women, and I definitely felt that nervousness when I started it too. The author did do a relatively good job not objectifying women, but I mean the overall premise of the book was a bit “out there”. Anyways, to answer part of your question there were quite a few parts I laughed at but the one that got me early on was in chapter 2. When they describe the questionnaire that was being sent out for the Special Service, I laughed so much because it was just so absurd. I couldn’t imagine myself ever filling out something like that.
Hi Ashley! I thought you brought out a lot of good points in your blog! I totally agree with the diary style and having the story shift perspectives by changing characters throughout. To answer your question, I often found the moments that were a little bit unexpected or out there the funniest. I also really liked the letter written to ChiChi. It felt like something a friend would send to me which made it feel personal and very organic.
Hi Ashley, great post! I agree with what you said about the diary-like writing being a good way to get different insights from different characters. I think the moment that I most clearly remember is the one where they sent the questionnaire. As for the dark humour moments, I found that how I felt about it depended largely on my mood at the time of reading.