I probably already mentioned this before but keeping track of all the characters is one of my absolute weaknesses while reading. To be honest, I started off pretty good for this specific text. I made notes of each new character and jotted a bit about who they are so I could refer back to it. However, by the end of the book, I definitely lost track of witnesses, other characters who had connections to the gang members, and more.
Aside from this, it is safe to say I quite enjoyed Money to Burn and it reminded me of Mad Toy, a previous text we read in this course. The action and suspense in this book is something that I am naturally drawn to when choosing what to read. However, I definitely found the more sexual parts to be a little uncomfortable and maybe even disturbing? I think one reason for this is because it is out of the ordinary.
One of the first quotes that stood out to me shows how everyone has a dream they can live out only if they have money. For example, “with 100,000 dollars he could open his bar in New York. A place where he could live out his retirement in peace” (13). As well, “they could split the cash and carry on leading their lives as normal. The fortune would accrue to their children” (19). It was interesting to see how everyone has their own motivations for crime. Furthermore, I was surprised by how innocent their dreams are. What they want to do with the money seems very pure to me.
Another part of the book that I would like to highlight is “Money is just the same as drugs: what’s fundamental is its possession, knowing it’s there, touching it, checking it’s still in the cupboard, there in its bag slung among the clothes, checking there’s still a half-kilo of the stuff, a hundred grand’s worth, being content with that” (30). In a way, this foreshadows or connects to the novel’s ending. Afterall, nobody truly possesses the stolen money at the end, rather the bills are burnt and “looked like butterflies of light, flaming notes” (157).
Overall, I believe Money to Burn is super rich and dense, encapsulating many things to unpack. Although I did not directly state this in my blog post, I recognize there is significance in how the criminals decided to burn the money they stole. Personally, I feel like this shows some sort of connection beyond the obvious monetary value.
So, in relation, my question is: How easy do you think it was for the criminals to burn something they stole? If you were in their position, would you have been able to make the same decision? What would you have used the money for?
2 replies on “Piglia – Hold On, There’s Way Too Many Characters”
“It was interesting to see how everyone has their own motivations for crime. Furthermore, I was surprised by how innocent their dreams are. What they want to do with the money seems very pure to me.”
It is an interesting contrast, the two main characters are always remembering the old days on the countryside and the provinces, witch contrast with the violence and corruption of the city.
Share your ideas on class!
See you tomorrow.
Julián.
Hi Jennifer. Personally, I would use the money to travel all over Asia, check off my bucket list. Although this novel presents different contexts, it does inspire me to live out my dreams and to be more open towards new ideas.