Shakespeare chose an intriguing title for this tense, complex and distressing story of a South American country assumed to be Peru in the 1980's and 90's. Although Colonel Rejas is focused on capturing the guerilla leader, Ezequiel, the author names the tale THE DANCER UPSTAIRS for a ballet teacher, a rather unusual, seemingly neutral character to magnify.Yolanda, must be the heart of the book, then, so lets look at what she represnts in this suspenseful story. Rejas and Yolanda's relationship is a forbidden one. While the city is experiencing fear on every corner from corrupt governmental forces and terrorist's explosions, Rojas' wife, Sylvina focuses on sharing her makeup secrets with upper-class women. The relentless fear of blackouts, murders and kidnappings that the majority experience is absent from her thoughts.Yolanda's natural beauty, in contrast, cannot be missed in a crowd though she offers no effort for approbation. She is terrified of the dark, traumatized by something in her past, and hesitant to reveal herself to Rojas. But he is attracted to her mystery and wants to resolve his feelings for her. Who could know at this point in the story how important a role she would play in novel's conclusion?The story is told by two narrators. Rojas is recounting the grueling story of working in a corrupt police system to a foreign correspondent. Readers listen to the monumental struggle for power where it is difficult to tell the terrorists from the victims, and the collapse of a people is at stake. Rojas' idealism sustains him until the finale...but what will happen when he solves Yolanda's mystery?Highly Recommended!
SENDERO LUMINOSOMettersi a scrivere, tentare la carriera di scrittore con un cognome così è davvero una sfida: esiste cognome più impegnativo?Sembra che siano addirittura parenti, Nicholas sarebbe un discendente di William.Comunque, questo libro è buono, anche più che buono, mi è proprio piaciuto, l'ho anche regalato ad amici. Ambientazione e atmosfera dense e memorabili.Dopo questo libro, però, NS l'ho perso di vista, o è proprio sparito lui. Il film di John Malkovich, ottimo attore, dimostra che non tutti devono fare i registi, soprattutto se non ordinato dal medico. Lei è Laura Morante, bella e affascinante, non eccelsa, ma dignitosa; lui è Javier Bardem, a mio avviso, un grandissimo bluff, attore mediocre altamente sopravvalutato come già lo fu a suo tempo il connazionale Banderas (non basta lavorare con Almodovar per essere grandi attori, e neppure bravi - è lui che è un grande regista e trasforma in oro il materiale umano che ha, per quanto scadente possa essere).
What do You think about The Dancer Upstairs (2002)?
For years I thought Dancer Upstairs was either romance with some flavoring of political intrigue or a Tom Clancy thriller but the book thankfully has more in common with a Graham Greene novel. Dancer Upstairs features one of the clumsiest frame story ( a reporter randomly encountering the person he wishes to interview in a bar) , gives it a 19th century feel I guess which the author makes the mistake of returning to (thankfully briefly) and interrupting the story. The other story is gripping tense, sad story of an almost surreal terrorist campaign. This is the story of Rejas the investigator. This story plunges into the heart of darkness of a country (unnamed but based on Peru) in the grips of conflict, attacks and counterattacks, reprisal and counter reprisal, mob violence, and the army unleashing its own brand of terrorism under martial This also a portrait of a lonely man and a story of unrequited love.
—Adam
I have had this book on my shelf for years, I had thought it was going to be something like Mao's Last Dancer. I had no idea of the plot. Interestingly I'd been discussing Bel Canto recently and then read The Dancer Upstairs and realizrd that the rebels in Bel Canto were most likely to have been based on the Shining Light revolutionaries depicted in this book.It kept my attention the whole way, I found it well written and suspenseful, I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in world events, history and a liking for a good story with intrigue.
—Catherine
A riveting story told by Colonel Augustin Rejas to a foreign correspondent, John Dyer, of his investigation and capture of a Peruvian guerrilla leader.Dyer was pursuing a different man for an interview when by chance, he met Colonel Rejas. Just like Dyer, I was completely sucked in by the story Rejas was relating. It's not just about the criminal actions of both the government and the guerrilas, the violence committed against the people, but also about the people themselves; about culture, humanity, and love.Fascinating story, I'd like to see if the movie is just as good...
—Tien
