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The Feast of the Goat
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
Haunted all her life by feelings of terror and emptiness, forty-nine-year-old Urania Cabral returns to her native Dominican Republic - and finds herself reliving the events of l961, when the capital was still called Trujillo City and one old man terrorized a nation of three million. Rafael Trujillo, the depraved ailing dictator whom Dominicans call the Goat, controls his inner circle with a combination of violence and blackmail. In Trujillo's gaudy palace, treachery and cowardice have become a way of life. But Trujillo's grasp is slipping. There is a conspiracy against him, and a Machiavellian revolution already underway that will have bloody consequences of its own. In this 'masterpiece of Latin American and world literature, and one of the finest political novels ever written' (Bookforum), Mario Vargas Llosa recounts the end of a regime and the birth of a terrible democracy, giving voice to the historical Trujillo and the victims, both innocent and complicit, drawn into his deadly orbit.
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azulaco
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Your cup of coffee or glass of rum must taste better, the smoke of your cigar, a swim in the ocean on a hot day, the movie you see on Saturday, the merengue on the radio, everything must leave a more pleasurable sensation in your body and spirit when you had what Trujillo had taken away from Dominicans thirty-one years ago: free will. #readingtheamericas2023 #dominicanrepublic

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azulaco
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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It had been this malaise of so many years‘ duration - thinking one thing and doing something that contradicted it every day - that led him, in the secret recesses of his mind, to condemn Trujillo to death, to convince himself that as long as Trujillo lived, he and many other Dominicans would be condemned to this awful queasy sickness of constantly having to lie to themselves and deceive everyone else…#readingtheamericas2023 #dominicanrepublic

azulaco …of having to be two people in one, a public lie and a private truth that could not be expressed. 2mo
6 likes1 comment
blurb
azulaco
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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I didn‘t get close to finishing #readingtheamericas2023, but I want to continue it, so I‘ll be #readingtheamericas in 2024 as well. I‘ll be using the books in the Around the World in 80 Books challenge on Goodreads as well. Anyone else still #readingtheamericas in 2024? @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle thanks for hosting and have a good time #readingoceania2024!

Librarybelle Sounds like a great plan! 2mo
BarbaraBB I am sure you‘re not the only one! 2mo
Susanita We watched the movie at my old office. It was…awkward. 2mo
10 likes3 comments
review
Daisey
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Pickpick

This was a great historical fiction, but it was also sometimes a very difficult listen. It alternates between 1961 at the end of Trujillo‘s regime in the Dominican Republic when Urania is a teenager and the early 2000s when Urania returns to visit her family for the first time since. The 1961 timeline focuses on the assassination of Trujillo and immediate repercussions. The 2000s timeline focuses on Urania‘s reason for leaving.

Daisey @Librarybelle I‘m so enjoying getting a good start on the challenge this year. @BarbaraBB Listening to this has me looking forward to also reading 14mo
BarbaraBB I am going to read some Vargas Llosa too for this challenge! 14mo
Librarybelle That is terrific you‘re enjoying getting a good start with the challenge! You‘re doing so well! 14mo
52 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Daisey
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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I spent a few hours continuing to listen to this book today, and I‘m really enjoying the way it‘s told from different perspectives. I also made chivo guisado, or braised goat, served with rice. It turned out well and I‘ve got a few meals made for this coming week.

#FoodAndLit #DominicanRepublic #ReadingTheAmericas2023 #audiobook #1001books #translated #ReadingTheWorld #ReadTheWorld

Texreader How appropriate!! 14mo
Catsandbooks Awesome! 🇩🇴 14mo
BarbaraBB 👌🏽 14mo
54 likes3 comments
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Daisey
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Today on my way home from school I started listening to this and continued it on my evening walk with Luthien. I‘m interested so far, but I‘m also thinking I may need to look up a bit of history to supplement the story set in the Dominican Republic in 1961.

#audiobook #1001books #translated #ReadingTheAmericas2023 #FoodAndLit #DominicanRepublic #ReadingTheWorld #ReadTheWorld

Catsandbooks 🇩🇴 looks like a nice walk! 14mo
Ruthiella You definitely should do some research for a better understanding if you‘re so inclined. I know that Dominican American writer Junior Diaz took exception to some of the book as inaccurate. 14mo
Librarybelle Lovely scenery! 14mo
See All 6 Comments
Daisey @Catsandbooks @Librarybelle It was a cool evening but a beautiful sunset! 14mo
Daisey @Ruthiella Good to know; I‘ll definitely make some time to look up some background. 14mo
zezeki I've read this couple of years ago, really great read. 14mo
50 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Vansa
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#3books that made me cry.
1.I don't like Ayn Rand at all but this book is brilliant, probably because it's so clearly from personal experience.A deeply moving account of the immediate aftermath of the Russian Revolution.
2.I cried so much reading The Return,my husband would ration out reading time for it everyday so I wouldn't get a migraine!

OriginalCyn620 😥📚😥 4y
7 likes1 comment
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Becker
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️You can learn so much from fiction. 🤔

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ONH
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao got me interested in Dominican lit... and so here we are 🤷🏻‍♀️ So far I‘m wading through this one, this is not a book to skim. I‘m afraid if I miss a sentence I‘ll miss something great, it‘s got very beautiful phrases! It does help to have an understanding of the history of the Dominican Republic, and of the reign of Trujillo, but even if you don‘t, this book will open your eyes 👀🇩🇴🐐

BarbaraBB This was such an interesting book. Are you reading the #1001books list? 4y
ONH @BarbaraBB I just happened to stumble upon it... but what is this 1001 Books list?? 😱😱😱 4y
BarbaraBB It is a list of the 1001 books you should read before you die. I though of it because both books are on it! 4y
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Susanita
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I don‘t know if this is an #awkwardread but I CAN tell you the movie is awkward to watch with coworkers. It was the first (and last) attempt at “cultural awareness” by a previous Director. Details in spoiler comment. It‘s apparently also a poster child for the need to consolidate Litsy entries. #literaryluck

Susanita There‘s a very unpleasant old man rapes young girl scene. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😱😱 that would be awkward!!! 5y
vkois88 Omg NOOOOO!!! 5y
40 likes3 comments
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pitou215
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
Pickpick

I loved this book so much! It has made want to research Latin American history and learn more!

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BarbaraBB
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Mehso-so

Another book about Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Now I know much more about it then I ever wanted. Not Vargas Llosa's best I think. #1001books

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Polo
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
Pickpick

I had the opportunity to read this novel in Spanish, regardless of the language, I would recommend it. Vargas Llosa has an uncanny ability to effortlessly transition between the past and the present, while incorporating the perspective and motivations of different characters, as events in the novel occur. Every chapter reveals the intricate web of lies and violence that mesmerized a nation into acquiescence.

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AlaMich
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Pickpick

I finished this excellent novel about the former dictator of the Dominican Republic on the last day of my awesome vacation in the DR. Compelling and sometimes horrifying--especially in torture scenes--I was in that weird vacation book predicament: you brought a book that was a little too good and so you find yourself wanting to get back to it instead of doing the vacation-y stuff you're supposed to be doing. Much to the annoyance of my wife.

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AlaMich
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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Hot coffee in my mermaid mug and a great book before I have to go to work this morning. All would be perfect if not for the work, amirite? ☕️😕 #hotdrinkandabook

MrBook Nice pic! 7y
7 likes1 comment
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Thekelburrows
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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A little dabble into works in translation

Susanita The movie is ... interesting. 7y
29 likes1 comment
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BookishFeminist
The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa
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I love diverse books❣ ✍🏻✍🏼✍🏽✍🏾✍🏿

Lots of favorites in these stacks for day 4 of the #SeptPhotoChallenge. 💞

#SomethingforSept #AuthorsofColor #POC #WOC #WNDB #WeNeedDiverseBooks #BLM #LatinxBooks #AsianBooks #NativeBooks #TranslatedBooks #LGBTBooks #QueerBooks #DiverseReads

alisonrose Shadowshaper!!! So good! 8y
OSChamberlain Oh god I'm really gonna have to dig around for this one 😔 8y
OSChamberlain Also, my acronym game is weak. What is POC? Lmao 8y
See All 47 Comments
OSChamberlain Oh wait, is it People of Color? 8y
BookishFeminist @OSChamberlain I hope you find something! You know what'll happen if you don't do the daily challenge lol 8y
OSChamberlain Hahaha I have a few POC books. Should be easy to find them! 8y
BookishFeminist @alisonrose It is! Daniel Jose Older is everything 8y
Simona The question comes from (probably) my ignorance and it's - from where (and on what base) originated the term POC and why to use it as politically correct? For me personally, it sounds pretty strange and offensive, especially if I translate it into my language . I've been browsing the internet but can not find a serious explanation, so I'm asking, if you can help me with recommendations to more relevant literature. 8y
Theresa @Simona I wonder the same thing as you. From what I've read, POC is pretty widely used but many people do find it offensive because, among other things, it lumps everyone who's not white under 1 "person of color" label, failing to recognize the diversity among Asian, black, Hispanic. And if you aren't white you are "other" or less than. I'm interested to see what replies you get. Thanks for asking the question! ? 8y
BookishFeminist @Simona @theresa From my understanding, "people of color" developed over a long period of time but it's mainly contained within the US bc it does sound offensive in many European countries. @Theresa you make some good points however my understanding of the term is to allow greater unity of those that experience systemic racism as that isn't simply limited to one race, and it also allows for more complex racial identities or mixed race persons ?? 8y
BookishFeminist @Simona @Theresa I'm unclear of the exact origin of the term or how it's construed to POC (as those are the voices that matter in this conversation and I am white), but perhaps someone else can chime in too. This Wikipedia article has a lengthy discussion of the term and it's usage- it's mostly used in social justice context in the US. What's your main language @Simona? 👇🏼 8y
BookishFeminist @Simona @Theresa Here's the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_color?wprov=sfsi1 and another article from NPR, a public radio station in US that does a podcast I enjoy called "codeswitch," which discusses the term http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/03/30/295931070/the-journey-from-col.... As a disclaimer this is some quick research I did so it's not thorough but hope it helps ?? 8y
BookishFeminist @Simona @Theresa A side note- I think "people of color" is largely meant to refer to people who are not-white collectively rather than use the term "minorities," which is offensive in the US but also incorrect as POC aren't necessarily the minority population anymore. It's not meant to replace referring to someone's racial, national or ethnic identity from my understanding- those are often specified- but POC is the collective, inclusive term 8y
Simona @BookishFeminist My language is Slovenian. What bothers me is the semiotic of that expression and that sound offensive. If you're not white, you belong below the rest, just like @Theresa said. Thank you for links 🙏 8y
BookishFeminist @Simona That makes sense. In the US that's largely not the case- it's less meant to demean and meant instead to solidify a common struggle if that makes sense. White people did not create the term so I think that's what makes the difference here, rather than have a term coined by white people meant to "other" those of different racial backgrounds. Earliest reference I found is by Martin Luther King Jr. & it's evolved from there. @Theresa 8y
BookishFeminist @Simona Also that's not to say that we don't demean POC in the US- that is sadly far from true. There are many slurs and outdated terms to refer to various POC groups & these terms were largely created by white people meant to "other" or demean those of different backgrounds. POC is just not one of those terms from my understanding of its development in our culture. (It's also a term I see POC readily adopt but I would love other perspectives.) 8y
Simona @BookishFeminist I found through your NPR link interesting article http://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/20/magazine/on-language-people-of-color.html and this make sense now. Thank you, again 😘. Interesting fact: all morning I'm dealing with this term, rather than read for the #biblioweekend. But I'm glad that it is so, I'm always happy when I find out something new, especially about the culture and customs in the wide world.🌏🌎🌍 8y
Simona I forgot to tag you @Theresa In my previous post is link to a very useful article about the use of the term. 8y
ultrabookgeek This whole post is amazing. I rarely see people ask a question about terminology that is open minded and helpful. It is also super important to realize that no one term for anyone or anything is 100% agreed upon by any one group. 8y
AliBG These comments remind me why I love Litsy. Thanks for the eye-opening discussion! (I am a US-er and did not know that "minority" was now an _offensive_ term; I've simply felt uneasy about it for a while because it's patently untrue now in most places in the US. It's helpful to hear that it is no longer embraced). 8y
CareBear I love this stack!! 8y
acc5446 I spy some wonderful works here!! NK Jemison's newest one is out now too!! 8y
erzascarletbookgasm What a great stack! I've enjoyed the Ishiguro titles and a few others are on my TBR :) 8y
BethFishReads Awesome stacks 8y
OSChamberlain I forgot to do mine before I left home 😭😭 8y
BookishFeminist @sharimichele 🙌🏼🙌🏼 so true and important to remember. What is accepted by some is offensive to others, even individuals, so it's important to stay open-minded & receptive. Empathy always. 😊 This is why I love Litsy- I see folks ask honest questions and create excellent, non-judgmental conversation a ton on here, and it's awesome. 8y
BookishFeminist @AliBG I love Litsy for this reason too! It's such a wonderful forum for sharing ideas and learning from each other. I think it's true "minorities" is no longer embraced but may not be patently offensive in every case. It might be okay to use in certain contexts where it holds true & relevant, but I usually try to find an alternative where possible. IMO it's most offensive when people collectively say "minorities" as "those other people" ?? 8y
BookishFeminist @acc5446 Yes, tons of favorites in here too! The Obelisk Gate didn't make the picture because it's sitting on my nightstand TBR. 😊 8y
BookishFeminist @erzascarletbookgasm So many awesome books! Love Ishiguro as well. 😊 8y
BookishFeminist @OSChamberlain OLIVER YOU BETTER DO IT WHEN YOU GET HOME. 😂 @LeahBergen and I will come for you. Lol 8y
LeahBergen @OSChamberlain You will be feeling the heavy weight of our disapproval for your entire shift tonight, won't you?! 😡 8y
Theresa @Simona @BookishFeminist Sorry for the delayed response but I was busy & wanted to wait until I had time to view the links & other info provided before responding. Thanks to both of you for great information. 2016 has been my year of breaking out of my reading mold (read American, white, male or female) so I'm definitely still learning. I just want to make sure I'm not being ignorant along the way, if that makes sense. 8y
Theresa @Simona Since I'm trying to break expand my horizons, can you recommend any Slovenian authors? They'd have to be translated into English, though, because even though I'm expanding my reading horizon, I have yet to expand my language skills beyond English. 😆 8y
shawnmooney Great stack, fantastic discussion! 8y
Simona @Theresa Unfortunately, there aren't many Slovenian authors with English translation. Here are some links to translated books (novels, short stories, poetry). This are the authors that are (or was) important for our literary scene. http://www.dalkeyarchive.com/product-tag/slovenian-literature-series/ http://www.dalkeyarchive.com/mere-words-mere-art-slovenian-literature-ten-plus-n... 8y
Theresa @Simona Thank you! I purchased all 3 books from the Amazon links + 1 from the Dalkey Archive list - I Saw Her That Night. 😊😄📚 8y
Simona @Theresa I hope you will enjoy in those stories. I Saw Her That Night is my favorite from Slovenian author and it represents the typical events in our recent history 😥. 8y
BookishFeminist @EnidBiteEm @RealLifeReading ☝🏼️☝🏼 scroll up if you're interested in where POC came from 😊 8y
RealLifeReading Thanks this was a fascinating read (the npr link). In Singapore (where I'm from) "minorities" is still often used. I actually just read an article from the main English paper today that talked about minorities and the elected Presidency. (In Singapore about 75% are ethnic Chinese, and the "minorities" thus are Indians, Malays and "Others". Yup "OTHERS"). 8y
BookishFeminist @RealLifeReading Others?! Yikes! That's gross. I'll never understand why people focus so might on pointing out our differences rather than seeing our many more similarities. Minorities is still pretty widely used in the US too, especially down south and in the Midwest (not sure for other parts of the country), but I don't think it's an embraced term anymore and it sounds offensive to me, and I'm white. 8y
RealLifeReading And the funny thing is that "minorities" are becoming the majority in quite a few states these days like California where I am in 8y
BookishFeminist @RealLifeReading Yea, really! It's like that in DC, too. It's not just offensive in many cases, but also just incorrect. 😐 8y
148 likes47 comments
review
Mitchieclos
La fte au Bouc | Mario Vargas Llosa
Pickpick

La République dominicaine sous Trujillo. Un roman qui n'en est presque pas un, puisque l'essentiel des faits racontés correspondent à la réalité.