Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord

I purchased The Troublesome Offspring of Cardenal Guzmán several years ago, not realizing it was part of a trilogy. I had just finished Captain Corelli's Mandolin and liked the author. Last year I found the first two, The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts and Señor Vivo and the Coca Lords. I went through the three without stopping to take a breath and enjoyed Cardenal Guzman even more the second time!The author has a perfect pitch ear for Spanish rendered into perfect English. I could translate back into Spanish without missing a beat. His characters are all of Latin America and his mythical country extends from Mexico to Patagonia. His "magical realism" makes each of the stories more real and the characters deeper and more alive.I particularly like the way he takes on each of the components to the problem we live with: government corruption in Don Emmanuel, drug traficing in Señor Vivo and the heritage left us by the right wing Catholic Church. i only wonder why he calogs all Panamanians as prostitues. Each of the books stands on its own but together they are a masterpiece of writing.By the way BIRDS WITHOUT WINGS fell into my hands a few years ago and I could not put it down. I lost weight reading it because I didn't want to take time to eat.

I've read most of DeB's books. This book, compared to the World of Random Novels At Large is great, challenging, fun equally tragic. Compared to other books by this author, it's the runt of a very impressive liter.I think the reason stems for the fact that it is a sequel - the stage is pre-set, the characters already onstage. And the plot, though winding and with sprinkled with capricious elements, boils down to man versus man, a very clear cut analogy for men who strive to do good things, and men who strive to bad. There are some gruesome scenes in here; and if you're read The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, you know DeB can be horrific at times, but in this book, there is no reason for some of the most grusome parts of the book. The Tragi-comedy aspect is still there - but much less on the comedy. The magical realism is also a key fixture, but it's more like a gimmic in this work than the finely wielded tool in his other books.In short, if youre looking at picking up a DeBerieres book, don't start here. I recommend Birds Without Wings or the War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts.

de Bernieres writing style in this novel is unlike that of "Birds Without Wings". I like the intricate storyline and characters in Birds much better. This story is a trite treatment of a serious problem in South America and I don't think it serves well. I was close to guessing the outcome, which is always disheartening. A good read should excite and surprise the reader and I was neither. The reviews of Birds were harsh and compared his style in this novel and most reviewers preferred this novel. This upsets me. I think the writing in Birds was far superior to Senor Vivo and won't purchase the other novels in this vein. I don't know what some of the reviewers are thinking. The plot of this novel was simplistic and the characters mere caricatures. It is unfortunate. Some people can't recognize great writing when they read it and prefer instead to enjoy the simple reads.

Having now read all three novels in the South American trilogy, I think Don Vivo is the best. It continues to flesh out the characters so beautifully crafted in the first book while containing more of the romance and heartbreak with a bit less of the magical realism of Don Emanuel. De Bernieres doesnt lose a step in terms of plot, characterization, tone, etc. He is, at this point, probably my favorite contemporary English writer. I haven't read anything of his more recent than Birds Without Wings, so he may have fallen off. However, all four novels of his that I have read have impressed me deeply, not only with his skills but with the consistency and strength of his voice. De Bernieres should be read by all, but in particular, by postadolescent young men.

The kind of story told for pleasure and the primal purpose of literature. And while there are authors that will change your understanding of you, sometimes pleasure is enough. The second in the trilogy and very well done.

Possibly the best of Louis de Bernieres' Latin American Trilogy, Señor Vivo & The Coca Lord is an exceptionally good book by one of the world's greatest and most perceptive writers. The darkly comic and fantastical tale of Señor Dionisio Vivo's one-man campaign against the coca cartels of his fictional Latin American country is a witty, astute and profound commentary upon the drug trafficking business, it's effect on rural communities and the indifference with which it was regarded by many regional governments. Set to the backdrop of the town of Cochadebajo de Los Gatos and its charismatic human and feline inhabitants, this is a must read for anyone with an interest in South America, good literature or the human condition.

The hilarity continues. This trilogy starts with "The War of don Emmanuel's Nether Parts" and after Senor Vivo continues with "The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman". Be sure to read them in order! Oh how I love the cats, and I'm NOT a cat person! This blend of fact, fiction, magical realism and social commentary is marvelously mixed with larger than life characters.The book's description above does a good job of introducing the book. This was extremely fun to read.

Breathe taking book written with good humor. Be prepared to be taken to another world with the description of vivid scenery.

This is the second in the series of these books and although I have read them out of sequence. They each can stand alone as separate stories although I would recommend reading The War of Don Emmanuels Nether Parts first as it sets the tone and background of the series. It's another beautifully written book (as you would expect) with prose that transports you to the region, where for the general population, old and new religions and magic hold sway over the incompetent and corrupt government and coca cartels. Whilst it's written with great humour this is not a book for the squeamish as some of the violence is quite graphic. My only criticism is that the goodies are very good and the baddies are very bad so not much shade in the characterisations.

I really love the series and this is a welcome re-visit, I had forgotten some of the gruesome aspects but Louis de Bernieres manages to build and develop his characters but then doesn't shy away from destroying them completely an in the most horrific ways. Still there's nothing I don't like here the satire is clever and he makes me want to believe the magic.

Great book, great seller. Book as described. No problems. I would be very happy to purchase from seller again.

I have now read all 3 books in this series, and I know I will be reading them again in 6 months. Very quirky and thought provoking.

Trilogy,read them