Genre: Literature & fiction, war, political, military
Length: 404 Pages
Publishing Date: December 19, 2015
Buying Links for The Burning of San Porfirio
Author Website:
Twitter: joelhirst
From the Blurb:
What happens when the revolution burns out and the magic is gone? Pancho Randelli doesnt know or care. Released from jail to wander the wasteland, hes haunted by the loss of his great love, Susana, and wonders at the fate of his deputy, Carlitos. He fears for the life of his best friend and hopes he has not become just another victim of madness.
In desperate search for Carlitos, Pancho begins his quest across the shattered landscape of a broken country. While trailing behind cold tracks and blurry memories, he finds something wholly unexpected: freedom. This is not the case for General Juan Marco Machado, who wallows in power at long last. For him, things are not how he originally imagined.
Without magic, all the money and power in the world cannot save the general from downfall and despair. While Pancho may find what he seeks, the general finds nothing but anguish. At the end, neither man will escape the inevitable results of the ideas upon which the revolution advanced, lived for a season only to burn itself out.
My Review:
The book two, the sequel to “The Lieutenant of San Porfirio” opens with Panacho Randelli being released from jail after spending decades there and trails his journey of self-exploration. Parallel to the story of Panacho Randelli, we follow journey of ruthless Lieutenant Juan Marco Machado who has climbed countless ranks and has become a General, El Comandante’s right-hand man.
El Comanddante dies soon and Machado declares himself Venezuela’s acting leader until elections can be held. In reality, he has no intention to resign and keeps postponing the elections which put the country at the centre of a major war while the opponent forces are hell bent on destroying each other; General Machado’s armies at one side and the ousted Vice President Sanchez and various gorilla organizations at the opposite sides.
Panacho’s interactions with Venezuelans all over the country during his journey of self-exploration reveal the true extent of botched system and prevailing corruption in the country. The ideology of communism has failed miserably. The masses; the common people, are constantly wronged at the hands of those in power; Machado’s army as well as his opponent, Sanchez and other gorilla organizations. When it comes to a better system, there is none. By the end, the whole country is burning and the people are left in limbo: directionless- waiting for someone to show them the way.
Hirst’s characterization, as I mentioned for the first book, is great. There are two sides to everyone’s personality. We get to witness a soft side of the utterly ruthless General Machado during Panacho’s stay at the later’s luxurious hideout. Some of the characters from the first book appear in this book. We learn about Carlitos who has come to term with his life and is content with what he has and Geronimo, Freddy’s acquaintance who is stuck in the place and has nowhere to go. We also learn about Dona Esmoralda’s sad fate. Freddy, one of the four protagonists in the first book, meets a sad end.
If you appreciate good literature, you would surely enjoy Hirst’s San Porforio series. But I must warn you the series is not for everyone. Only serious readers would be able to appreciate the beauty of Hirst’s writing. There is a scene in the book where a coca farmer shares his opinion with Panacho about finding value in things which seems to echo thoughts of the author.
“But you know, business isn’t just about making money. It’s about adding value to society and for your customers. I’ve met some good novelists who could make a lot more money writing harlequin romance novels but don’t find any value in the pornography.”
It seems writing is a passion for Hirst and not a way of making money.
Definitely recommended to history buffs and readers who love good literature!
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