- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (May 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060597585
- ISBN-13: 978-0060597580
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 14 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,712,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
In Mexico I fought dogs. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
In Mexico I fought dogs. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
I read this book when it first came out and was impressed with the superb writing of the author, whose brilliant prose thrilled and ultimately moved me.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and am hoping that the author will put me out of my misery and publish another book, I would recommend this to any adult looking for a a good read
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and am hoping that the author will put me out of my misery and publish another book, I would recommend this to any adult looking for a a good read
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
A brutal glimpse into a dark soul
17 Jun 2004
Format:Hardcover
I am not a huge reader of fiction, and when I do I tend towards less violent fare, but I picked up this book, meaning to read a chapter before bed, and ended up staying up all night to finish it. The unnamed protagonist is both brutal and brutalised by his circumstances and the expecations of the codes of masculinity in which he is brought up, especally by his grandfather.
I will not discuss the narrative further, as I leave the discovery of its many great qualities to the reader, I will mention the issue of the violence within the story, the book is not for everyone; but I truly believe that unlike so much of modern culture, the violence is an integral part of the milleu that the dog fighter inhabits.
In short, the book succeeds both as an evocation of a time both specific and universal, whilst also llustating the dangers of a particular type of masculinity. This first effort by the author makes me hungry for his next work. In short a fine book by a promising artist.
I will not discuss the narrative further, as I leave the discovery of its many great qualities to the reader, I will mention the issue of the violence within the story, the book is not for everyone; but I truly believe that unlike so much of modern culture, the violence is an integral part of the milleu that the dog fighter inhabits.
In short, the book succeeds both as an evocation of a time both specific and universal, whilst also llustating the dangers of a particular type of masculinity. This first effort by the author makes me hungry for his next work. In short a fine book by a promising artist.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Good story, too much affectation
21 Jan 2005
Format:Hardcover
The energy in Marc Bojanowski's writing is exciting. Though the first scene of the book (and countless scenes thereafter) are gruesome--and though this would normally turn me off--I kept reading because of Mr. Bojanowski's strong voice. The initial energy, however, fizzled as I read. What seemed like genuine innovation at the outset became self-conscious affectation midway through. It's not that Bojanowski leaves out punctuation (commas, apostrophes, etc.) that bothers me. It's that he uses a period INSTEAD of a comma. My complaint? If you're going to put a mark of punctuation there, use the right one. IF you're going to innovate and delete common punctuation, then DELETE it. Let the rhythm of your language carry the voice. Exchanging one mark of punctuation for another is artifice, not art. Likewise with his deletion of apostrophes. Apostrophes have nothing to do with voice. They only have to do with clarity. Deleting them comes off as a trick, rather than something necessary to the story.
I can only attribute this self-consciousness to Mr. Bojanowski's youth. However, I am also impressed by the very same thing. To write a novel this strong at this age shows so much promise for the future. It's staggering. (More staggering, say, than any other "Heartbreaking work of Genius" out there.) I can't wait to see what Bojanowski writes next--and I hope some of the self-consciousness of The Dog Fighter wanes and his great sense of language and image and story prevail.
I can only attribute this self-consciousness to Mr. Bojanowski's youth. However, I am also impressed by the very same thing. To write a novel this strong at this age shows so much promise for the future. It's staggering. (More staggering, say, than any other "Heartbreaking work of Genius" out there.) I can't wait to see what Bojanowski writes next--and I hope some of the self-consciousness of The Dog Fighter wanes and his great sense of language and image and story prevail.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A Writing Style Reminiscent of Hemingway
4 Jan 2005
Format:Hardcover
Marc Bojanowski's debut novel is a story that finds power and beauty of life in the masculine brutality of Mexican dog fighting. If there is one word to describe this book, it is passion.
Three major themes intertwine through The Dog Fighter. First is the theme of dog fighting, of the contrived struggle between man and beast that reflects the very soul of the protagonist. Second is the theme of unrequited love, as seen through the protagonist's unquenchable desire for a woman he can never have. The third theme is that of war, of the constant revolution that engulfs the town of Canciòn.
It is during his first fight with a dog that the protagonist lays eyes on his love. This instant awareness of his love distracts him from the fight, minimizing the danger of the dog and emphasizing the danger of his heart. This is because the woman he falls in love with is the mistress of the Cantana, the brutal and corrupt businessman turning Canciòn from a quiet fishing village into a tourist resort for Americans.
It is against these businessmen that the people of Canciòn revolt. These people want their fishing village to remain the way it always has been. They sabotage equipment and delay construction of the hotel which symbolizes the radical changes that this fishing village faces. The protagonist is drawn into this struggle. In the end, he must choose which side of the revolution he will support.
There are no easy paths for the Dog Fighter.
From the first whisperings of the Dog Fighter's grandfather to the final song sung by the Dog Fighter's love, this tale is absolutely engrossing.
Three major themes intertwine through The Dog Fighter. First is the theme of dog fighting, of the contrived struggle between man and beast that reflects the very soul of the protagonist. Second is the theme of unrequited love, as seen through the protagonist's unquenchable desire for a woman he can never have. The third theme is that of war, of the constant revolution that engulfs the town of Canciòn.
It is during his first fight with a dog that the protagonist lays eyes on his love. This instant awareness of his love distracts him from the fight, minimizing the danger of the dog and emphasizing the danger of his heart. This is because the woman he falls in love with is the mistress of the Cantana, the brutal and corrupt businessman turning Canciòn from a quiet fishing village into a tourist resort for Americans.
It is against these businessmen that the people of Canciòn revolt. These people want their fishing village to remain the way it always has been. They sabotage equipment and delay construction of the hotel which symbolizes the radical changes that this fishing village faces. The protagonist is drawn into this struggle. In the end, he must choose which side of the revolution he will support.
There are no easy paths for the Dog Fighter.
From the first whisperings of the Dog Fighter's grandfather to the final song sung by the Dog Fighter's love, this tale is absolutely engrossing.
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