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Hello everybody!!!

Don Quixote came to an end and that finale is not what I was expecting. However ,it is a good ending because there are many questions in my mind after reading it and that’s what a book should do: to challenge you!
After looking for glory for so many pages , Don Quixote returns home , gets sick and dies a few days later. But before dying he admits that believing those stories of chivalry was nonsense.
“Good news for you, good sirs, that I am no longer Don Quixote of La Mancha, but
Alonso Quixano, whose way of life won for him the name of Good. Now am I
the enemy of Amadis of Gaul and of the whole countless troop of his
descendants; odious to me now are all the profane stories of knight-errantry;
now I perceive my folly, and the peril into which reading them brought me;
now, by God’s mercy schooled into my right senses, I loathe them.” (408)
Don Quixote abandons his identity as a knight, and he also abandons the narrative that sustained him. He no longer interprets the world through adventure, heroism, or moral purpose. Instead, he sees things as they “are”—but this clarity comes at a cost. Without his performance, his life loses its meaning. His return to sanity is accompanied almost immediately by his death, suggesting that what truly kept him alive was not reason, but his own imagination.
It is a tragic end but also ironic. People were constantly teasing him about his beahviour and in the end he admits all of that was just nonsense.
He is not just dying phisycally but also spirtually. He is telling us that reading all those books was useless. Or maybe is trying to tell us that you die when you stop believing?… His failure is not just personal; it reflects a world that no longer has space for the ideals he embodies.

Now in regards of Sancho Panza… They always seem to be in opposite worlds but when Don Quizote is dying he tells him : “[….]Come, don’t be lazy, but get up from your
bed and let us take to the fields in shepherd’s trim as we agreed. Perhaps
behind some bush we shall find the lady Dulcinea disenchanted, as fine as fine
can be. If it be that you are dying of vexation at having been vanquished, lay
the blame on me, and say you were overthrown because I had girthed
Rocinante badly; besides you must have seen in your books of chivalry that it
is a common thing for knights to upset one another, and for him who is
conquered to-day to be conqueror tomorrow [….]” ( 409).
It seems to me that after spending so much time with him , Sancho believed in his illusions in a way and he is deeply sad by his master’s destiny.

At the end , Don Quixote dies loved by everyone who knew him because he was always kind ( as Alonso or his alter ego) , he did not forget about his friend Sancho and included him on his will saying that he deserved his own kingdom and highlighted ” the simplicity of his character”.

Discussion question
Don Quixote represents glory or defeat? Do you think reading too much fiction could lead you to something negative?

Hi everybody!!!
The end of SD did not really compel me or excite me. The novel was not for me and I often felt that it could have been shorter ( but I mean , its length exists for a reason). I remember there was a diary entry about buying toothbrushes and Lupe taking too long in the washroom ( 601) and i was like…. I need to finish this book ASAP.
I do command Bolano for the middle part which requires a lot of engagement but I think the ending is anti-climatic and even Garcia Madero confesses that finding Cesarea wasn’t hard ( 639) and then she dies three pages later. In my humble opinion , this novel is designed for people who like to submerge in fiction even if the plot is not interesting or not. In other words , i call it is just reading for reading. I forgot what was the term one of my classmates used during my presentation to describe the novel but I totally agree with it now.
I would have preferred to have Garcia Madero during the whole novel ( and less narrators) and watch his growth. I actually enjoyed THE FIRST PART ( despite GM being too much).Although , his ending was not that bad, as he becomes one of the last visceral realist according to Lupe (644) and this is the part that I found interesting about this book. He is introduced into this world of literature and follows Belano and Lima, explores his sexuality with many girls , shows to be very witty and perceptive and he looks for meaning in his life. He represents the movement through personal dedication, his sense of curiosity and his desire for adventure. His character was entertaining at times ( other times not ) but i am happy that he was able to find himself and/ or to have the chance to go into the desert with the others. People come and go during the story and they also die and there are no consequences or lessons after that. Even if that’s the future for Madero , he found joy in his exploring (not by literary acclaim or rewards). Being a VR might lead you to an ambiguous ending or failure but it is your persistence that leads you to success.

discussion question:

I am curious to know , what means for you the concept of visceral realist? What do you think will be the future for Garcia Madero and Lupe?

Hello guys!!

I cannot believe I went this far with Don Quixote , but this has been a good experience.
One aspect of the novel that I find very interesting is the relationship between Sancho and Don Quixote. I talked about this before but now I am noticing that their conversations reveal new patterns as their adventures progress.
While Don Quixote continues to talk about chivlary and his idealism , Sancho is more attached to reality which represents the ongoing clash between reality and illusion.
I find that Sancho (despite of not being as brave/ honourable) is no longer a passive servant. Their bond has multiple layers such as friendship , but also a co-dependency ( even at times a bit philosophical).
“Once or twice, as well as I remember,” replied Sancho, “I have begged of
your worship not to mend my words, if so be as you understand what I mean by
them; and if you don’t understand them to say ‘Sancho,’ or ‘devil,’ ‘I don’t understand thee; and if I don’t make my meaning plain, then you may correct me, for I
am so focile” (863).
Sancho is showing that his confidence is growing and tells his master that communication is more important thatn precise grammar.Sancho does not have the intention to be like him as long as he is understood.
In another scene , we see how Sancho goes along with his master’s illusions but he gives it a little twist ( maybe to make some sense on him).
“Well, to tell the truth, senor,” said Sancho, “when I saw that sun of the lady
Dulcinea del Toboso, it was not bright enough to throw out beams at all; it must
have been, that as her grace was sifting that wheat I told you of, the thick dust she
raised came before her face like a cloud and dimmed it” (874).
This momment shows not only how Don Quixote sees the world through literature and not by facts. Sancho is trying to modify his truth for a second but Don quixote goes back to his inner world.
The friendship of these two is formed through mutual dependence , humour but the understanding of their individual ideologies.
Another exchange of words that i liek was this one:
“Tell me, senor,” Sancho went on to say, “those Julys or Augusts, and all
those venturous knights that you say are now dead- where are they now?”
“The heathens,” replied Don Quixote, “are, no doubt, in hell; the Christians, if
they were good Christians, are either in purgatory or in heaven” (877).
Sancho is not passive. He demands for answersfrom this opposite logic.The characters connect with each other even though they are in opposite realms ( reality and fiction).
Discussion question :

If you get the chance to read this novel , what arguments would you make in support that Sancho is the real protagonist?

HELLO EVERYBODY!!!

And its time to go back to Bolano. I don’t think I am ever enthusiastic to read “The savage detectives” but i always find some pieces that i find interesting. There are a few diaries or testimonies that i read with passion because i want to know how they end or if there is any clue for the future. Here are some reflections.
The diary of Pablo del valle was interesting to me because he starts by mentioning the honor of a poet but he doesn’t seem like someone that has much honor. He is portrayed as highly opportunistic and cold. Yet , he is haunted by the footsteps of a previous girlfriend with whom he never found a strong connection. He always judged her for her work , dated her for a while , then broke up with her ( nicely ish…) and then moves on so quickly (517-518).I mean this is the type of character who fits perfectly in the novel but i find it weird that someone like him would feel remorse for what he did to his previous girlfriend. He is a savage detective in a way because he is looking at his past with an unorthodox perspective to find out why he can’t let go the memory of his ex( he dreams about getting dragged to hell). He knows that what he did was messed up but why his actions weighted so much on him. Maybe she is a reminder of what he used to be before he became a successful writer and felt that he could have done more for her.Sometimes you become the victim of your own horrors.
The first testimony was also pleasant to read. It is a classic SD type of writing. It’s melancholic , hopeful ( the discussions about a better future) and the details about Mexico’s social problems. I like the perspective of Joaquin Font because it shows how life keeps moving forward and sometimes it let you be just a spectator who has no voice in the decisions your family makes. When he mentioned that he got beaten up and didn’t care much about it (401) suggests me a deep emotional detachment as if the violence in Mexico no longer shocks him. His final line confirms to me that his life is rather tragic .People are controlled by forces that are not necessarily human and he will definitely not survive what is about to come.
The future of most of the writers in this chunk of the story doesn’t seem very hopeful.
Discussion question:

Do you think that most of the VR have a bleak future? What can they do to scape it?

Hello everybody!!

And now i am back to one of my favourite characters.. Don Quixote. I missed him , i am not gonnna lie!
During these chapters , delusion is a big theme as our protagonist is so involved in being a honorable knight and help others who need him. Even confuses normal objects with legendary helmets in a scene where he thinkgs he accomplished a victory but in the end , he was just fighting with a barber.

Don quixote believes that his values ( justice , gratitude) should be practiced on a daily basis thats why he frees random people from chains because he doesnt feel anybody should live like this. He gets betrayed and hit by rocks in the end…

These momments make me wonder that if we all were a bit delusional like him .. will we create a better world than the one we live in? what would be different? what values would we cherish the most? His delusion is based on the ideology of bravery ,honorable actions , helping others… thats not bad at all. Maybe the author is telling us that even though people mock you for your values , you should not change them because the problem is not you… ITS THEM.
Maybe this is one of the moral points of the novel … the people around us have no discipline / values ( Sancho is kind of a coward sometimes and also lazy) and the people with a psychological delusion carry a better vision of themselves and what they want to project in society.

Now i also came to realize for the first time , that our protagonist is a performer more than just a crazy guy.He is trully commited to the books that he read before. He admitted that his madness is intentional ( and if you call him crazy , its ok with him )because he has a goal to accomplish ( dulcinea) and this imitation of brave knights is necessary to imppress her. So , if Dulcinea responds to him .. will the madness end? He might have fooled everyone all this time. I feel like Sancho ( a guy who is not a good fit to be his protector) represents what we think Don Quixote or reactions to his “madness”.

One good line is ” The actions that i do are not joke , They are truthful”.. good for him and the world he wants to live in.

Discussion question :

Can the power of imagination give meaning to your life?

Hello everybody!

I am not enjoying this LONG BOOK for a few reasons. It is hard for me to stay focused. Even though , the ensemble of testimonies provide very rich memories that help us to put the puzzle together, i feel like i am becoming a puzzle. The novel keeps shifting to what people remember of the protagonists and it is putting me to work extra hard by going back and forth to figure out the plot and why this collection of memories is so important. However , i think Bolano is putting us to work for a reason , i must put all these fragments together as well , so i must continue.

You always learn something new of even from books that you are not very interested. Here Joaquin Font proposes that books fullfill a role in your life , even when you are desperate. It is telling the readers that books are more than just objects , they can be survival devices. They are friends in moments of crisis. There is a moment in our lives when reality becomes insufferable and we need a book to carry on!. I would like to find one for myself when my life becomes unbearable… Font seems to have particular information about the protagonists and it is a good hook to start this chunk of the book.

The scence between Laura and Arturo also caught my attention. i find it metaphoric the part when Laura throws Arturo’s bloody toilet paper and flushes the toilet as a way of expressing the idea that Laura is letting go someone that is not longer important in her life. After reading so many pages about memory and what people now about the VR , this scene erases Arturo’s presence and places Laura as someone with plenty of agency of her actions and ideas. She is not underminded by this male writer and that was refreshing to read…

Luscious Skin was one of my favourites and now he is gone. It is interesting how his death seems to not affect much the plot or the characters ( even Luis who was very intimate with him and tried to include his poems in Zarco’s book). But i guess thats the point Bolano is trying to make. This world of literature , poets and such never stops. You live your life to the fullest because not all young poets will find the glory and success that they dream about. There are young souls who die without accomplishing anything and thats part of the VR world…

discussion question:
Why doesnt matter that the poets in the novel do not accomplish their dreams/goals?

Hello everybody!!

I have to say this has been one of my favourite readings of the semester. I like the character’s personality and how she describes everything that it is going on around her ( even the incident at the school). In a way , i find her to be a savage detective for her wit , intelligence and bravery.

She is a really strong female character and these are my reasons behind this idea. She is like an embodiment of memory , passion for literature and courage. She is showing us that memory is a way to pass information to others and that the fight against inequality could be tackled by a common sentiment that in this case students and writers could share.

Literature guides her routines, attitudes and habits as she mentions that when the attacked occured , she was reading in the washroom. She mentions old generation actors as Pedro Armendariz and Maria Felix , who i was not expecting them to see here , but that reminded me of the legacy of actors that that country has.

Even from the first page , we see that she understands there could be some type of discrimination or biases that people might have about her as she mentions ” This is going to be a horror story ….Told by me , it wont seem like that”. She is avoiding to be stereotyped by showing that a woman like her can be smart and resourceful. She is just like the female characters from the movies that she mentioned. Even at desperate times , she confesses to us that she never lost her sense of humour , and she is the first one to make fun of her because in the end she keeps observing , remembering or scanning whats happening around her.

One of my favourite scenes happens in page 39. This is another example of her refusal to be stereotyped. She shows herself to be a frank woman when she talks to Mrs. Belano and points out that even though she is not a mother like her or doesnt spend time with people of her age , she already had hundres of children. She defines motherhood to me in a way that represents protection , witnessing and nurturing of others.

In conclusion ,the amulet that we take from the novel is her. Her charisma , resiliance and inmense source of memory. As she is in this poet world , she knows how to move around it because she knows its like moving between life and death.

Hello Everybody ,

I am starting to enjoy Don Quixote. He is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY , but maybe that happens to you when fiction takes over your life?
I want to talk about the huge contrast between Don quixote and Sancho Panza. The difference in personality is becoming more apparent and it is also comical. In one hand , the main protagonist values bravery , glory and noble quests. He is obsessed with the novels he read in the past , he even makes a reference of King Arthur which truly shows his passion for chivalric romances.
I like the scene when the merchants asked him for a picture of Dulcinea and he replies by saying that his words do not need proof or validation because the truth that he speaks is evident. He never complains about moving from one place to another ( unlike Sancho ) and he is rather brave as he wanted to fight the giants without hesitation or help ( or should i say , the windmills?). I find it interesting that he wanted to fight giants as they are usually portrayed as creatures that are morally wrong or kidnap people from the towns. After one of his victories , he commented that resting is not for him because knight errant are supposed to always keep moving.

So why did he pick Sancho as his bodyguard? He is the opposite of his persona. He is rather lazy , he is illiterate , and he is always hungry to the point that he is uncapable of helping Don quixote because he is looking for food from his rival. The scene that made me laugh was when he calls Don quixote ” The knight of the sorrowful countenance” ( el hombre de la triste figure).Our protagonist was thinking that he called him that due to some literary reference or because he needs a good nickname when someone writes about his legacy. The answer that Sancho gives him is that he basically called him that because he looks like S***.

One character is grounded in imagination , the other one is grounded in reality. They like each other and they continue in their adventures to the point that it seems like Sancho is believing him at times. Sancho hopes that he will get something valuable out of these adventures and he deeply cares about the safety of Quixote.
This combinations provides comedic relief but also the idea that life can be a mixture of madness AND reality that can cohabite together in order to lead us to more valuable lessons.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

How can we apply this mixture of characters in our daily lives or social lives ? what can they teach us?

Hello everybody!

I surprisingly miss Garcia Madero. I am not sure if it is very effective to have so many narrators to talk abut Belano and Lima. However , i did enjoy some of them and how the ideas of youth , attachment , sexuality and the literature world is written. I think the author bases these narrators in people he met ( or at least most of them)… they all are savage detectives too in their own way.
I am not sure if i am liking the novel but i am also not hating it. So , i am just going with the flow and i think i found a few topics that caught my attention.

First , lets talk about Perla. She is crushing hard for a boy ( nothing wrong with that) but i like how she goes deeper into her memories. She understands that because he is seeing with lots of people it doesnt imply that he had many friends ( i also find interesting how her testimony starts with ” i didnt have many friends”). She knows many of his flaws to the point that she considers him to be ” arrogant” but she is still attached to him. In other words , i like her self-awareness. She knows the difference between being “socially visible” and being ” connected”. Perla is not naive and i feel like she understands there is some type of contradiction in her feelings. for example ,she visits him regularly but not too often , or as she states later on ” she forgives him everything”…
Her testimony is not just about remembering a crush , it is to makes us understand why it was important at that stage of her life. I can relate to that in a way and all the poeple that i used to get attached when i was younger. It doesnt matter now but it had importance in the past.

Now Luscious Skin. This testimony is helping me to see that homosexuality is gonna create some division in the literature world. Some people like you , some people hate you , but i mean this does not just happen in the literature world. I think Luscious is telling us that in life we just have to accept this division. There is nothing we can do about it. I like also that he does not try hard ( or thats what it seems) to get Belano’s sympathy. He maintains his dignity and he is capable of admiring his antagonist.

discussion question:
DO YOU THINK THAT THE MULTIPLE NARRATORS CREATE CHAOS OR MAKE THE NOVEL RICHER IN PERSPECTIVES OR FUN LITERATURE?

I chose to read Don quixote. This is a novel written in the 1600’s by Cervantes Saavedra.
The story has a main protagonist as Alonso Quijano who is obsessed with medieval romances and with becoming a knight-errant. He names himself Don Quixote de la Mancha and goes on different adventures with his ” escudero” Sancho-Panza who left his wife and kids to join him on an adventure.

So… what do i think of it?

I have to say the novel is not bad. I am reading a different version (not the extremely long one).
I always find a bit dangerous the idea of submerging too much in fiction. I believe that creates a dimension that is only control by you and disconnects you from your reality. People need fiction to survive or to have a meaning and this is problematic. You cannot let fiction to overpower your own story. But , it is better to leave those ideas for the final blog.

From the first pages , i noticed that there is something wrong . For example ; the narrator does not wish to remember La Mancha and admits that Alonso has already lost his mind before he made the decision of becoming a knight-errant. The description of his armor, he did not have weapons to go on his adventure , and how women do not understand his language and made fun of him which infuriates Quixote.

There are multiple signs that the main character is not sane, but he does want to do something good. As he takes the role of defender of the weak and saves Andres of getting whipped.
The reality that Don quixote lives is completely reshaped by the novels he read ( novels that ended up burnt). His reality is so distorted that he confuses where he is , and the people that live there by characters of the books he read before. Then ,when i saw the picture of him getting fed with his helmet on , i concluded that this man has read way too much fiction.

The addition of Sancho is interesting as it is implied that he is not very smart and also does not have the look of someone who will go on an adventure with a knight like Don Quixote.

In conclusion , The power of fiction is highlighted as a force that can give meaning to your life. Yes , he is crazy but that is just in the surface. He is walking , and wondering around because he wants to makes sense of the world he lives in.