Yo El Supremo

Well this book seems daunting at first. 400+ pages of continuous chatter, unbroken by dialogue or distinguished chapters. However shortly into this book I began to feel a little less intimidated...

I like Bastos' humour. When was this book written? Because I have never read in any other literature book the term "shat". Made me giggle at least. Also, the humourous banter between Patino and the Supreme is enjoyable. Even though Patino sucks up to the dictator and is overtly nice, they seem to have an amicable and truthful relationship. Patino is portrayed to speak his mind freely albeit nicely, which hasn't yet been portrayed in the other books we've read. While the dictator literally dictates Patino, they banter and chat almost as if friends it seems. I believe this adds a more personal and human touch to the book. Unlike Facundo which was written coldly and factually, from a third person and historical point of view, the personality of the Supreme dictator is evident in this book. I believe this makes it more interesting and actually easier to read as I feel more involved.

However, with this banter and personal perspective, I predict a good amount of rambling on the dictator's part. I've already managed to skim a few paragraphs that were rambling speakings on his behalf. His ramblings do prove interesting though, I've found myself noting certain aspects of his views on life, death, and memory

I am curious about the italics in parentheses. When it says "(rest of page burned) is that Bastos' imagination added into the story? It definately gives it an edge of realism, as getting as close to non-fiction as possible. (In the private notebook)? I believe this adds to the personal perspective once again.

The obsessive compulsive tendencies of dictactors continues in this book, with the Supreme's wishes and orders attempting to be fulfilled to the most maximum and rediculous extent, such as searching all the files and dossiers for the handwriting that opened the book. It seems necessary that to be a dictator, one must need to search high and low for all enemy tracks that could threaten their treasured position.

Well, this week seems to be a continuation of last week's readings. More to the plot is happening, but still does not seem to be in any definate direction yet. Can I copy and paste what I wrote last week to relate it to now?

So it will be interesting to see if Camilla dies or not, I feel I am just about to read about that. I wonder how it will change the story, if Angel Face becomes a suspect, as his position seems to vary. I do like reading the different perspectives on each person's actions. Since everyone talks in private, other characters are left to make assumptions or gossip about what is going on. Although we know of Angel Face's orders with Camilla and the general, others see him as committing crimes against the state. I think this is a bonus to Asturias' book in comparison to Facundo, in which we only had Sarmiento's viewpoint to learn from, Asturias lets us read from different perspectives and seems to be a much more rounded story. This helps give me the idea and feeling of living under a dictatorship, of nothing is what it seems, and what can you truly believe and from whom? Even trusted friends can turn their backs.

I continue to enjoy Asturias' vivid imagery, especially his description of Death, the Guardian Angel and the Devil on p 170. Generally, he manages to describe without overdoing it - keeping it interesting without getting lost in the smallest of scents and microdetails.

The chapter about the President's mail bag was cool as a stylistic diversion. What a bunch of snitches though. A bunch of people kissing ass to save their own, but I suppose in their situation it's for their betterment supposedly.

Perhaps this is a trend in Latin American literature - I still haven't found out about the title character yet, and the story does not seem at all focused on him, more so on the conequences of all his actions. This seems more to be a novel about the people than the government and history, but atleast the people are interesting with conspiracies, near death, and prostituition. I'll keep reading and I guess I'll find out more soon, if the President becomes a prominent character and of what happens to Angel Face.