Hell Has No Limits [Paperback]

Jose Donoso (Author), Suzanne Jill Levine (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Green Integer | Publication Date: September 15, 1999

A reprint of the powerful novel by Chilean writers, José Donoso.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Green Integer (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892295148
• ISBN-13: 978-1892295149
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #920,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of dogs and whores, June 20, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell Has No Limits (Paperback)

"Hell Has No Limits" is a stunning novel by Chilean author Jose Donoso. The book has been translated from Spanish into an effective English by Suzanne Jill Levine. This is a grim, tragic story about the lives of the residents of the doomed town of El Olivo.

The story focuses on La Manuela, a drag queen who owns a brothel, and his/her daughter, Japonesita (the story of Japonesita's conception is told in a series of vivid flashbacks). As Donoso peels back the layers from these and other memorable characters, he reveals a twisted story of lust, homophobia, violence, sexual ambiguity, and shattered dreams. And always in the background are the whores of El Olvido and the sinister black dogs owned by the powerful Don Alonso.

Donoso's remarkable mastery of language (as translated by Levine) perfectly complements this gripping story. If you are a fan of Latin American fiction, or if you are interested in gender themes in literature, you won't want to miss this trip to "Hell."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and excellent., April 23, 2009

By 

T Campbell (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell Has No Limits (Old Edition) (Sun and Moon Classics) (Paperback)

I don't normally read fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. It's an intense, quick read, excellently written and excellently translated. The themes of violence, sexuality, gender, power, are subtly but thoroughly explored.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gender ambiguity in Chile, March 29, 2000

By 

"blissengine" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hell Has No Limits (Paperback)

One of the 100 Best Gay & Lesbian Novels, Donoso's book centers on the transvestite la Manuela and his/her daughter who together run a whorehouse. Donoso's crisp voice lends an intense atmosphere to this intriguing story about machismo versus sexual ambiguity. I am always drawn to foreign literature, and I highly recommend Donoso, who in some ways reminds me of Manuel Puig and his "Kiss of the Spider Woman".