Ricardo Piglia’s Money to Burn was an interesting read for me, mostly because it is not the type of book I would normally pick up. I usually do not gravitate toward crime novels, and this story is very centered around a bank robbery and the criminals involved in it. It took me a little while to get into the book. At first I found myself struggling to fully connect with the story, mostly because crime plots are not usually what I enjoy reading about. However, as I kept going, I started to appreciate the atmosphere and the way the story builds tension.
The novel follows a group of men planning and carrying out a robbery involving a large transfer of money from a bank to a municipal building in San Fernando, Argentina. A lot of the story focuses on the preparation for the robbery and the chaos that surrounds it. Instead of just being about the action of the crime itself, the book creates a strong sense of suspense and unpredictability. There is this constant feeling that something could go wrong at any moment, which keeps the story intense even in the quieter moments.
One thing I noticed while reading was that the narrative style can feel a bit confusing at times. The perspective shifts and there are many small details introduced throughout the story, which sometimes made it difficult for me to follow exactly what was happening. I found myself rereading a few sections to make sure I understood the events clearly. At the same time, I think that style might actually be intentional. The slightly chaotic storytelling seems to reflect the unstable situation surrounding the robbery and the uncertainty of everything unfolding.
Even though crime stories are not usually my favorite, I still think Money to Burn is an interesting book to read and discuss. It feels intense, messy, and unpredictable in a way that makes it stand out. While it was not my usual type of story, it was still engaging and gave me a different reading experience than what I normally go for.
Discussion question:
Do you think the robbery in Money to Burn feels carefully planned, or does the novel make it seem like the situation is constantly slipping out of the characters’ control?
2 replies on “Money to Burn- Piglia”
“At first I found myself struggling to fully connect with the story, mostly because crime plots are not usually what I enjoy reading about.”Yes, but as you say, there’s much more to all those stories than just the account of a crime. In fact, sometimes it seems that the robbery itself is overshadowed by the characters’ development, and the noir atmosphere encompasses those little stories that lend realism to what’s happening, don’t you think?
Hi, to answer your question, I think the novel gives the impression that the robbery starts off as something carefully planned, but quickly turns into a situation that slips out of the characters’ control. Even though it is planned ahead, the shifting perspectives and chaotic narration make everything feel really unstable, as if no plan can fully contain what happens once the violence and pressure begin.