Money to Burn: The Morally Gray (Mar 18)

Hey everyone. This week has been a real struggle for me. Even though March is coming to an end, I still have two midterms looming over me. Why does it feel like midterm season never ends? 🙁

Anyway, let’s talk about the book. As a big thriller fan, I was eager to dive into “Money to Burn” by Ricardo Piglia. While I usually gravitate towards psychological thrillers, I was intrigued by the idea of trying something different this week. 

The story centers around a real-life bank heist in Buenos Aires, 1965. The gang responsible for the heist is quite a mix, with characters like Twisty Bazan, who is battling drug addiction; Crow Mereles, who is sex-obsessed and has a disturbingly young girlfriend, and the intellectually sharp (BUT TRAITOR) Mad Malito. While I might not be a fan of each character individually, I do appreciate a solid found family trope, especially when it’s made up of such diverse personalities. 

Kid Brignone and Blond Gaucho Dorda emerge as central figures in the narrative, sharing a connection so deep it mirrors the closeness of twins, despite their lack of blood relation and different origins. Specifically, Brignone “the Kid” turns his back on his affluent upbringing to embrace a life of crime, contrasting sharply with Dorda, who battles his own inner turmoil and addiction. This difference between them is also shown physically, with Dorda being “heavy, quiet, with a ruddy face and an easy smile” and Brignone being “thin, slightly built, agile, has black hair and a complexion so pallid, it looks as if he’s spent more time in jail than he actually has” (Piglia 1). Yet, this pair, with their contrasting backgrounds, have a profound connection that forms the core of the narrative. Their journey is characterized by a blatant disregard for the law, marked by drug use and impulsive violence. As someone with a somewhat strong moral compass when it comes to the law, it was difficult for me to empathize with their actions, even though their backgrounds shed some light on their motivations. However, Piglia cleverly intertwines these criminal actions with a political undercurrent, revealing corruption within the police forces. This blurs the lines between who is really innocent and guilty, challenging societal perceptions. The deception within the police force is exemplified through the scene of Commissioner Silva with Blanca Galeano. Blanca’s involvement with the gang and subsequent brutal treatment by the police paint a stark picture of violence and exploitation in law enforcement, especially against women. Specifically, in order to get information regarding the robbery, Silva beat up Blanca Galeano — girlfriend of Crow Mereles, — who is 16 years old (15 at the start of the book)! It was hard reading a scene where a young woman gets tortured, but Piglia writes it regardless to show the depth of corruption and moral decay hidden in the seemingly “law-abiding” aspects of society.

Additionally, Piglia offers psychological insights into the main characters, delving into their flaws and troubled pasts. Whether it’s drug addiction, sexual perversions, or mental health issues, each character is portrayed with complexity. Dorda, for instance, is depicted as nervous and paranoid. He hears voices, has been in jail where he is sexually assaulted, and has a long history of violence with the police. Piglia’s dive into the characters’ psychology offers a nuanced understanding of their motivations, instead of just seeing them as “dangerous individuals, antisocial elements, homosexuals and drug addicts” (72). In my view, Piglia attempts to create a moral gray area, particularly with characters like Kid and Dorda. While we may despise their actions, we begin to understand the circumstances that drive them to such extremes, highlighting the societal neglect faced by marginalized individuals. 

I think this brings us to the conclusion of why the money was burnt at the end/middle of the book. To me, the act of burning the money represents a significant turning point in the characters’ psychological journey. Specifically, characters like Dorda perceive it as a decisive moment of liberation from societal constraints, despite society’s condemnation of such an act as typical of “crazed killers and immoral beasts” (Piglia 188). Dorda’s acknowledgment of his mental illness and its social effects, encapsulated in his admission of being a “hopeless case” since childhood (Piglia 188), adds depth to his character and sheds light on his motivation for burning the money. This isn’t a rash decision; rather, it’s a deliberate rejection of a system that has marginalized and excluded him. Dorda’s indifference towards the burned money stems from his belief that the societal system has never offered him assistance or support. In his eyes, as someone who has never benefited from the system, the loss of the money holds no significance.

Questions for Discussion:

Q: What did you think the burning of the money symbolized? Can be general, or for a specific character.

Q: Did you empathize with any of the characters at the end of the book?