How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Very good
Advantages:
Great Writing
Disadvantages:
Depressing
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
A few years ago, I had to study this book for Spanish AS level, and indeed, I enjoyed every moment of it.
The story is about a Colonel (el coronel) who lives with his wife (su mujer) in really poor conditions. Is it set in the 1950's, a time of censorship (la censura) and change. The Coronel throughout his life only lives on the fact that one day he will receive his war pension and the only hope for income he has before this is his fighting cock (el gallo), which he feeds using most of their small income.
'El Coronel' is the epitome of hope. Although the war of 100 days ended 50 years before, he still hopes that his war pension will become reality. In the book, we see how corrupt the world of Colombia is, and how its censorship took over people's lives. No wonder he wrote this book in France, and he hasn't returned in many years.
Nobody writes to the colonel (el coronel no tiene le escriba) is a thing much associated to this book. Every week or so, he goes to the ports to see if he has post. Every time he goes, he never has any luck getting post, and he always is embarrassed for the fact that he still hopes he will be sent a letter regarding his war pension.
On contrast, 'la Mujer' is a lot more negative. She is ashamed of her lifestyle, she wants her husband to get his pension, although she is sure it won't happen, she doesn't believe that 'el gallo' is doing them any good. She has bad asthma, although her doctor (el medico) says it isn't as bad as she thinks.
The couple live only in memory of their son. He had looked after them for many years, and his death only happened a couple of years before the start of the book. ‘El Medico’, when he appears, seems to be like their son. He is kind to them, and works for free. He jokes to ‘la mujer’ a lot, and especially she seems to be fond of him. ‘El Medico’ always speaks to ‘El Coronel’ like a father. They talk together about news and politics, a thing we find out that ‘el Coronel’ and the son used to do as well.
Leading on from this, ‘el medico’ and ‘el coronel’ speak about change (la censura) which is, as I have said, a recurring theme through out the book. In the third chapter (tercer capitulo), there is a discussion they have about boats (las lanchas) and planes (los aviones). El medico, the person of the new, says how much better planes are than boats, while El coronel says the opposite. Planes were a very new thing in the 50’s, especially to South America, and el coronel could never understand that they are safe, ‘above the clouds and storms’, although he does admit they are fascinating to look at as well as being a clever invention.
If you haven’t read this book, and you are a Spanish student, think again. It is a enthralling book, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t do it for exams, it still is a ‘must-read’. If you don’t do Spanish, there is an English translation which should suit you well.
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