When the haughty Don+a1a Constanza diverts the village river to fill her swimming pool, the government is convinced that guerillas are to blame, and it dispatches the brutal Figueras and his men to find them. 15,000 first printing. $10,000 ad/promo.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Louis de Bernières's sardonic pen has concocted a spicy olla podrida of a novel, set in a fictitious Latin American country, with all the tragedy, ribaldry, and humor Bernières can muster from a debauched military, a clueless oligarchy, and an unconventional band of guerrillas. There's a plague of laughing, a flood of magical cats, and a torture-happy colonel. The cities, villages, politics, and discourse are an inspired amalgam of Latin Americana, but the comedy, horror, adventure, and vibrant individuals are pure de Bernières. This masterpiece, the first of a trilogy, is followed by Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord, and The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
A blend of scathing political satire and magic realism, De Bernieres's furiously sardonic, intensely lyrical first novel portrays an imaginary, impoverished Latin American country run by an oligarchy, terrorized by fascist army officers and propped up by U.S. support while Yanqui corporations suck its economy dry. No better than the rapacious and murderous military, the revolutionaries loot and kill in the name of an abstract ideal. The motley cast includes Dona Costanza Evans, an upper-class housewife kidnapped by guerrillas, who actively joins the revolution; Olaf Olsen, a Norwegian industrialist whose innocent daughter becomes one of the "disappeared"; Aurelio, a jungle Indian versed in magic, and Don Emmanuel, oddball son of a progressive English educator. About halfway through, friendly, charming cats, which grow to the size of pumas, invade the narrative and do magical things that confound even fascist generals. De Bernieres, who taught in Colombia, captures the beauty, hope and desperation of Latin America as few other writers have done.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Louis de Bernieres was awarded the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book Eurasia Region in 1991 and 1992, and for Best Book in 1995. He was selected by Granta as one of the twenty Best of Young British Novelists in 1993, and lives in Norfolk, East Anglia.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting Story, Brilliant Writer,
By Ben Lorincz (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts (Paperback)
The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts is one of the most original books I have ever read. It is, in turns, witty and horrific but always engaging. Having travelled throughout South America myself, I found myself nodding and laughing at his cultural refrences such as the Ford Falcons. De Bernieres writing style evokes Garcia Marquez but with edgier prose. This book left me smiling and wanting more.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Strong novel that owes much to Gabriel Garcia Marquez,
By Patrick O'Duffy (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts (Paperback)
De Bernieres' first novel owes a great deal to Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE. It's to de Bernieres' credit that this novel goes beyond mere pastiche and claims its own intellectual and artistic territory.At once grim and hilarious, THE WAR OF... traces a swirl of events that occur within a fictional (and unnamed) South American country, focusing on the inhabitants of a single village. The language is strong, the imagery clear and effective. The story is drenched in absurdism and magic realism (two favourite subjects of mine), occasionally going a little too far with such (particularly towards the end). Pacing is uneven - a persistant problems with first novels - and it may take a little work and effort to get past the first 50-odd pages, to where the book's energy and direction takes form. But soldier on - despite its flaws, this is an intelligent, well-written book, solidly worth your time. (I've yet to read de Bernieres' other novels, but I plan to track them down, based on the strength of this book. That's one of the best recommendations I can give, frankly.)
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The war of Don Emanuelle's nether parts,
By John Bray (Scotland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts (Paperback)
Brilliant! A captivating and funny book filled with romance, passion and confrontation. Tender in parts ,aggressive in others truely a typical DeBernieres novel. Those familliar with his later written ,and more well known "Captain Correli's mandolin" may find this book a little more violent and political than his later peices, also the romance element is far less prominent. Unfortunately those who like their fictional novels to take a non-fictional slant may be put off by some of the more outlandish plot developements, however this shouldn't put you off the book completely. If anything the "weird and wonderfull"(yet sometimes not so pleasant) events of the book help to accentuate the passionate emotions present throughout the novel. A great read for anyone who appreciates a little peculiarity, adventure and suspense in a novel.
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