22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AN ELOQUENT VOICE FOR THE INNOCENT, February 16, 2001
War, as they say, is hell. It is hell compounded when endured by a nine-year-old boy who sees his mother killed. In later years he describes that moment as "Like water pouring over stone, that is how she slipped away from me."
Ms. Benitez, who unforgettably drew Latin American life in "A Place Where The Sea Remembers" (1993) and "Bitter Grounds" (1997) now turns to a chaotic El Salvador. Born of both fact and imagination, "The Weight Of All Things" depicts that country's 1980s violence as seen through the eyes of Nicholas de la Virgen Veras.
Nicholas lives with his grandfather, Tata, in the small village of El Retorno, a place of cane and mud buildings "whitewashed with hopefulness." Acceding to his mother's request, he joins her in the city for the funeral of a slain archbishop. It is here that mass murder takes place, and his mother dies shielding the boy with her body.
Clinging to the belief that she still lives despite having seen her limp form dragged away, Nicholas begins a painful and dangerous search for her. His quest takes him throughout the ravaged Salvadoran landscape, into the hands of guerrilla rebels, the Popular Liberation Forces, who have commandeered his village. Nationalist soldiers, the Guardia, will later ransack El Retorno and take the boy captive.
To escape the army compound takes all the wily courage and faith Nicholas can muster.
With "The Weight Of All Things," a scorching but beautiful narrative, Ms. Benitez speaks for the innocent, those caught between forces who would eradicate all in their blind quest for power.
When Nicholas is wounded he longs for a place "where there are no guns, no soldiers, no guerrilleros." So does the world.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, moving ....., July 31, 2001
Sandra Benitez has woven a haunting tale of a young boy caught in the war-ravaged reality of El Salvador in 1980.
Nicolas Veras had a wonderful mother. She shielded his body from the gunfire of an attack by guerillas at Archbishop Romero's funeral and she passed on to him her earnest faith in the Virgin Mary. After her death, Nicholas must find his way alone to his grandfather's rural home in the El Salvadoran mountains. He finds that the national military has bombed his village, destroying homes, businesses and the church. From the debris, Nicolas removes the slightly damaged statue of Mary and carries it with him to the farm that has been overtaken by pro-Communist rebels.
From here, the story takes flight. Nicolas and his grandfather are compelled to cooperate with the guerillas. Nicolas participates in smuggling fresh blood and medical supplies to the guerilla camp. He is later captured by the army. Other frightening events occur but young Nicolas feels little fear because, miraculously, the statue of Mary comes alive and speaks advice to Nicolas, giving both instructions and encouragement as he precariously maneuvers between the warring factions of ruthless guerillas and the corrupt and equally ruthless army.
The words flow gently in this sadly beautiful novel. I am usually repulsed by stories involving violence or cruelty towards children; however, this story is so adroitly written with a mixture of harsh truth and tenderness that I couldn't turn away.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Benitez lets the truth be known about El Salvador, April 24, 2001
Some don't know the truth of what happened in El Salvador and may be shocked to find that the US Government funded (sending aid in the billions) this war. They gave a corrupt government the power, money, ammunition, training, even US Soldiers, and their approval in the war against the poor, common people of El Salvador. They are in part responsible for the deaths of countless innocents, including women and children - who were caught in the middle. In selfish self-interest and fear of communism, the US caused so much damage that this little country has been scarred for life. Benitez lends a sympathetic ear to the people who deserve it most - she tells the story which often goes untold - and she tells it in such a way that your heart will not go untouched. Benitez is a real asset to the writing world. She can tell a political and tragic story with the most poetic words and the most beautiful symbolism and imagery... I just want to thank her for another great book and most of all, for letting the truth be known.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
