A Wonderful Book, Amusing and Profound
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This book achieves so much, at least matching the achievement of the second part ('Nether Parts') of the trilogy. Why it's not better known than 'Captain Corelli' I don't know, unless it's to do with the teasing nature of the titles chosen for the trilogy. This is a veritable feast of humanity and spirituality, poking fun at all of the self-important things of life, such as religion and politics, while at the same time provoking lasting thoughts about the human and spiritual need for such institutions. Magic and the impossible are easily assimilated, without apology, into the detailed plot. Don't be put off by the complex range of characters and places with unfamiliar South American names - even a little effort here pays enormous dividends! This is a truly enriching book!
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Genius
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I sometimes wonder if De Bernieres is mad or a true genius... and I think that genius wins out. This is the third in a trilogy but it can definitely be read without having read the other two.
The humour in this novel is so subtle but hilarious all the same and the triumph of the people involved against all the odds makes you believe that even the most hopeless situation can be resolved in your favour.
The only health warning I'd issue is with the large number of characters. If you don't have an hour or two spare to get into it when you start the book it can be quite difficult to remember who everyone is and where they are later on. But, if you read a large chunk at the beginning it's no issue!
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Everything you could ever ask for
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The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman has everything you could possibly want from a book. It's full of miracles and tragedies, magic and reality, humour and solemnity, romance and conflicts. Louis de Bernieres is an extremely talented writer and for those of you who have only read Captain Corelli's, be prepared to be blown away...
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Independant beliefs
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I've read "The War of Don Emmanuels Nether Parts" aeons ago, but once I started to read this book all the memorable characters came flooding to my memory. This book is based around life in a village, which doesn't quite seem to obey the rules of normal space and time. Life is easy, spiritual and above all, the inhabitants enjoy a good time. However, Cardinal Guzman decides to launch a mission to re-introduce christianity, but things quickly get out of hand. There are touches of violence and brutality in this book, but they are tempered with loads of humour and the acts of the heros. this is a big-time recommended read.
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A charmingly entoxicating medley of human nonsense and magic
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De Bernieres has designed a motley cast of improbable animals, humans and demons, and fashioned it into a delightful story of good defeating evil. Never have I laughed so much at an essentially clever book. The Troublesome Offspring is Asterix the Gaul without the need for pictures. Wise, provocative and naughty, it is a book that you will never forget. Read it.
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