Hi again blog :))
Thank the heavens this week the reading had normal lenght sentences (looking at you, Combray). I absolutely adored reading Mad Toy. The pacing of the story was amazing, and I really felt as if I was looking at snapshots of Silvio’s life. I thought I would feel the gaps in the story, but in reality, the passage of time between one chapter and another did not hinder my reading experience at all. In fact, I really enjoyed these time intervals.
Roberto Arlt really heard the sentence “coming-of-age story” and said “BET”. He expertly portrays how a person’s perspectives and ideals change as they grow older, and how, as much as you can denounce ever feeling a certain way when talking about the past, those ideals never completely leave you. Silvio’s growth from being certain his future was with his crime gang, to going through the shttiest job ever, to getting his first reality check through his gay roommate, to being okay with his life selling paper AND being on the other side of his earlier life dreams, is such a beautiful depiction of what every teen goes through. We always think adult life is all daisies and roses, and then we get our metaphorical asses handed to us, and we get reality checked to the next plane of existence, so that we can get up and learn to be okay with the fact that life does suck sometimes, but you have to try to make the best of it. Everyone needs to have their crime gang go on break to eventually figure out that selling paper is okay for now, you know?
I had a delightful time seeing Buenos Aires through Silvio’s eyes. Not because he had an easy life, or because he was a particularly happy person (that man needs a therapist yesterday), but because I was fascinated to watch his perspectives change with time and experience. Silvio is a genius. He is incredibly smart, he knows so much about maths and sciences, and yet he is stuck learning a trade to make a living instead of being able to do what he truly loves, which is writing, studying, and inventing. This initial shock, which morphs into acceptance, is something I once again think so many teens go through. It is still heartbreaking to see Silvio get put down over and over again, but it also made me think that so many people probably feel seen by what he went through. And for these people, hearing how, at the end of the day, Silvio still finds joy in his life, is something incredibly important.
I want to talk about so many other things because I genuinely adored this book, but the last thing I will mention is how awesome the blend of varieties of Spanish and other Romance languages was. As someone who went to school with people who spoke all kinds of Spanish, that really made me feel at home lol.
I also have to mention arsonist Silvio. I know boys always have that one thing they hyperfixate on as teens, but having that be building cannons (yes, multiple) seems a bit concerning. Still loved that though, arsonist Silvio was very fun.
Stealing is no stranger to Silvio, and Silvio is no stranger to stealing. But Mad Toy shows us how even if you know how to steal, having everything be stolen from you fundamentally changes you and your morals.
I am very glad I read this book, it was awesome!! I leave you guys with one final question: What are your thoughts on Rengo being a metaphor for chapter one Silvio? Cuz I thought he was one hell of a metaphor, and the fact that Silvio turned him in is what really solidifies an important part of his growing up story.
Thanks for reading!!! :)))