Enrique Medina

Enrique Medina's 'The Duke' seems to harken back into Argenitine history to the time just before the military coup that overthrew the short lived regime of Isabel Martinez Peron. Manipulated by the sinister Jose Lopez Rega--Peron's government not only set loose but enabled right wing vigilante death squads organized by Lopez Rega himself--allowing them to wreak havoc on their opponents on the left more or less giving these vigilantes get out of jail free cards. They called them The Triple A--though not anything like the organization that provides road service throughout the USA.

In any case the Duke is an ex-professional boxer of some renown turned thug--part of a team led by one Sorel who murder, rape and steal without compunction and FWIW the graphic violence including sexual violence that this book portrays may keep some awake at night. Celine is one of Medina's influences and this novella is as hard and harsh as anything you'll find by the author of Journey to the end of the night. It's not for the squeamish. It seems to me though that Medina is attempting to say something about his country--at least as it was during those times and say it in as honest and brutal a way as he can.

As it happens what follows this period in Argentine history was even worse--much worse in fact. And this book was banned in Medina's own country. The military dictatorship did not correct the evils of Isabel Peron's government--they simply followed the model set by Pinochet in Chile. One thing set the stage for another. It is in this respect that I think this book is worthwhile reading. I know most people here in the USA do not believe something like these tragic times in Argentina could happen here but human ambition and greed tells at least your humble reviewer otherwise.… (altro)

Chronicles the life of a young boy as he enters into a type of reform school atmosphere in late 40's early 50's Buenos Aires. Whether or not this is an autobiographical novel or not is hard to tell. It certainly has the sense of that--and in the regard that the situation the boy finds himself may not seem real to some--this same situation is not all that far removed from Vargas Llosa's 1st novel 'The time of the hero'. The reason for his entry into this world is unclear but that he is thrown into a world that he is not prepared for and has no understanding of is very real. From the beginning not only will he have to deal with the harsh authority of the school and its staff but also has to come to grips with the other boys themselves--most of whom are older and bigger and who have formed into a society with its own rules and rulers if anything even harsher and certainly more aware of any individuals weaknesses. Their world is even more vicious and in fact is much like a prison society with its constant struggle for hegemony within. Intimidation on its own amounts to almost nothing--subjugation through violence or real threat of violence as well as rape is common and the young Enrique soon learns through trial and error how to survive and how to make himself less of a target until eventually growing older himself and feeling more freedom to move within this world he will try to assert his own rise but will then be sent to an even harsher school where he will have no choice but to toe the line. This novel percolates with rage. It moves though because Medina's anger has a cathartic quality. There is one major critique that needs to be made however concerning the text itself. There are about 3 chapters from the middle of the book or so that are repeated exactly and inexplicably towards the end of the book and it is some kind of publishing error but it can be kind of disconcerting.… (altro)