Customer Reviews

In Search of Bernabe

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A very real life book on a women's search for her lost son during a time of tough times in El Salvador. A very good example of just one family's tough times during the war in El Salvador. This book is full of many relevent issues; US intervention in South America, migration to the United States, social classes in South America, and most important the struggle of the people to get there country back

in this award-winning novel, graciela limon digs beyond borders and boundaries - and delves deep into the human psyche in an attempt to unearth and unravel the twisted roots that lie tangled beneath a decaying tree of life - in a bold exploration of human behavior.

with memorable, immortal, superbly-crafted, 3-dimensional characters that struggle to survive in an historically accurate setting depictive of civil-war-torn 1980s central america -- and with paragraph after paragraph peppered with tales of graphic abuse and abandonment endured by generation after generation -- the author poses possible and plausible explanations for the cold-hearted, calculating "peddling of death" that takes place, ironically, in the "city of the savior."

numerous biblical/religious references, as well as psychological speculations serve as catalysts for critical thought spurred as the readers witness the horrors of death and destruction through the eyes of a grieving mother/land who mourns the loss of beloved son/s barely out of their cradles. and, as luz delcano goes off "in search of (her son) bernabe," who disappears during a moment of militaristic madness, murder and mayhem -- we join her on a journey, in search of comprehension for such incomprehensible behavior.

the manner in which limon introduces international intervention is commendable -- she deals with the delicate subject of the u.s.'s (in)direct involvement deftly and directly in an enlightening way via her creation of a priest tormented by the preachings of a guilty conscience (in the voice of a dead friend and arms-negotiating accomplice)that lead/s and follow/s him to his grave.

the expert use of irony adds to the richness of the text, as foils are juggled and juxtaposed -- such as in the delcano brothers' case -- one, an army colonel, a devil in an "angel's" dis/guise, who orders the execution of his own brother -- a seminarian-reluctantly-turned-guerrilla, who is "hounded by the thought that (his) victims were his brothers," and by the awareness that "he...had become...as monstrous as the enemy."

when all is said and done, limon does a fantastic job of describing the utter futility and senselessness of such tragedy -- as she describes the executioner's dismay as he finds himself unable to savor the flavor of his vengeance -- perhaps proving the point that revenge is much more bitter than sweet; as would be the fruit on a tree that has its roots (mal)nourished by the blood-spilling of (in)human nature.

limon, with her remarkable ability to fabulously blend fiction not far removed from fact, has given us a compelling, realistic look at the dark side of human (un)kind; a wonderful, brutal view of a world gone wrong -- and one very much in need of a savior!

There were more spelling, punctuation and mechanical errors in this book than I have EVER seen in any other book. I even contacted the publisher re this.

As a teacher I felt I could not recommend this editing-flawed book as it is the antithesis of the kind of careful editing I espouse.

One very humorous aside is that part of the dedication is to her editor for careful attention to detail, or something close to that.

The story is interesting, but not compelling. One section, about a home invasion, is never really explained at all. It simply happens. Why does it occur? Simply to advance the story?

Limon's book entitled Ana Calderone is better written and far better edited.