Ricardo Piglia’s “Money to Burn,” rooted in the true story of a meticulously planned heist in Buenos Aires, transcends its crime-story boundaries to delve into the depths of capitalism, patriarchy, and the fragile nature of human relationships. It is a true story based on a heist executed by a group of criminals who manage to escape and hide in Uruguay but are soon caught by the police. Despite their careful planning, they eventually fall victim to their own greed and betrayals. The plot is dense with twists and turns, highlighting the characters’ desperate attempts to outmaneuver each other and the law.

Piglia’s intricately designed characters embody different facets of capitalist and patriarchal societies. Malito, the mastermind behind the robbery, represents the ruthless ambition and manipulative tactics that are often rewarded in capitalist systems. The so-called twins, Brignone and Dorda, along with Malito, and the rest of the crew, navigate a treacherous path where mutual reliance is constantly at odds with personal survival instincts. The male-dominated gang reflects traditional patriarchal values, with women in the narrative being sidelined or used as tools in the men’s schemes. The character of the young girl, Blanca Galeano, whose association with the criminals irrevocably changes her life, vividly illustrates this dynamic. Her experience serves as a reminder of the limited agency that women have in a society where men frequently judge their worth by how useful they are to them. The novel subtly explores the dynamics of what a woman goes through—exploitation and marginalization of individuals—in the context of crime and societal decay, reflecting broader issues of vulnerability and exploitation in the criminal underworld. Through these characters, Piglia explores the consequences of valuing material wealth over human connections, portraying a chilling yet accurate depiction of the solitude and paranoia engendered by such a worldview.

One of the most striking symbols in the novel is the literal burning of money, an act that encapsulates the futility of greed and the emptiness of material wealth. This act of destruction serves as a powerful counterpoint to the entire premise of the heist, questioning the very motivations that drive such endeavors. In this moment, Piglia invites readers to consider the true value of wealth and the cost of its pursuit, offering a poignant meditation on the meaning of success and fulfillment.

In the end, Piglia’s masterpiece is a call to introspection, a reminder that the flames that consume the ill-gotten gains in the novel also have the power to illuminate our understanding of the human condition. “Money to Burn” burns bright as a testament to the power of literature to provoke thought, inspire change, and challenge the status quo.

Question: What do you think burning the money means symbolically?

Song recommendation: Money by Pink Floyd (hence, the title of this blog)