What do You think about Los Años Con Laura Díaz (2001)?
Leer literatura mexicana cuando se vive fuera de México cobra un sabor diferente; es más sabroso. Leer la historia de México a través de la mirada de un personaje como Laura Díaz es aún mejor. ¿Quién es Laura Díaz? Las abuelas de Carlos Fuentes. La mujer libre, independiente, que ama, que vive, que sufre, pero que nunca se estanca. Qué dicha vivir mi México y mi gente estando tan lejos gracias a las páginas de este libro, sentir sus tristezas, sus alegrías, sus esperanzas y contradicciones. Desde Montevideo doy gracias por haber encontrado este libro en la famosa feria dominical de Tristán Narvaja.
—Carla
A sweeping novel encompassing decades of Mexican politics, from the point of view of a fictional character who mingles with the movers and shakers, especially the socialists, labor activists, and artists.Parts of the novel are fascinating and others are so inpenetrable that I couldn't get through them, I just had to skim. I don't know how much was the author's style and how much was the English translation. I don't think I've encountered another novel where I loved about half and couldn't read the rest, all mixed up like that.
—Cyndi
Dec 26, 2013 - I've read about 10% of the novel. Fuentes is an accomplished writer with an abundance of knowledge and a wide viewpoint. He set the story mostly in Mexico and sees characters and places from the inside. The opening chapter takes place in Detroit, which he sees from the outside. This difference is quite noticeable. Dec 28 2013 - I find echoes of Mann's "Buddenbrooks" in this novel, as Fuentes acknowledges in the name he gives a walk-on character. Also to "War ^ Peace". Maria in this novel, Sonja in Tolztoy's. This work also " brings to mind Naipaul's "A House for Mr. Biswas" in that both deal with newcomers from established societies to the Western Hemisphere. This story has similarities as well to a novel I've just finished reading, Heinrich Boll's "Group Portrait with Lady". In spirit, though, this novel is the antithesis of Boll's generous work. Jan 18,2014 - I've reached page 300. A long novel, a saga of an extended family, with Laura at the center....History, politics, cruelty in Spain & Europe. The bright colors of Mexican life. The vibrancy of the workers union. A leftward tilt. A question about the title character. She gets absorbed in temporary flings, but finds nothing to engage her for the long term -- not work, not people, not place. Nothing satisfies her. At least so far.This novel continues to invite comparisons. Laura's two sons bring to my mind at least the two brothers in Machado de Assis's "Esau & Jacob". Jan 23, 2014 - Some affecting moments, e. g. Laura after a frightful loss. And the story of Raquel, a Jewish Catholic who is loyal both to her people & her Christian faith while in the midst of Nazi horrors. A strong character. I'm wondering if this is the sort of novel that improves past the half-way point. . Feb 4, 2014 - This book has many fine qualities and held my attention throughout. I found at least two lapses that I won't mention for fear of spoiling the story for another reader. As a final comment, I found the occasional drumbeats of conventional, faddish anti-Americanism irritating & tiresome.
—Richard French
