City of the Beasts [Hardcover]

 

 

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I read this novel as my friend and I toured Central America. The setting and the landscapes were very comparable and definately added to the novel. The supernatural and magical nature that Allende portrays is unique and really brings out the culture of the Amazonian Indigenous peoples as compared to North Americans...love of the land, cherish what Mother Nature has given us. The whole idea that these natives have never been into contact with other human beings also gave the novel an eerie mysteriousness that captivates the imagination of its audience. Alex and Nadia definately come to life even in the English translation, which I found awkward at some moments, but don't let it bother you as the scenery and imagery are stellar.

I read this novel as my friend and I toured Central America. The setting and the landscapes were very comparable and definately added to the novel. The supernatural and magical nature that Allende portrays is unique and really brings out the culture of the Amazonian Indigenous peoples as compared to North Americans...love of the land, cherish what Mother Nature has given us. The whole idea that these natives have never been into contact with other human beings also gave the novel an eerie mysteriousness that captivates the imagination of its audience. Alex and Nadia definately come to life even in the English translation, which I found awkward at some moments, but don't let it bother you as the scenery and imagery are stellar.

Quite a few straight-fiction authors have taken to writing children's fantasy -- Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, Carl Hiaasen. But Isabel Allende struck out in "City of the Beasts," an excruciatingly dull, preachy, awkwardly written fantasy with some of the most obnoxious characters imaginable. While Allende is a talented writer of magical realism, straight-out fantasy seems beyond her.

Alexander Cold's mother is suffering from cancer, and while she is in Texas for chemotherapy he is sent to stay with his grandmother Kate. Not only is Kate unstable and weird, but also is heading off on an expedition into the Amazon jungle to find a sort of jungle yeti called "the Beast."

Though initially disliking the expedition, Alexander befriends Nadia, the daughter of the guide, who teaches him about the wildlife and the natives of the Amazon. Alexander quickly falls in step with Nadia, learning all about his totem animal and magic. But soon they discover that the jungle and the mysterious "People of the Mist" are in danger of destruction -- by someone in their group.

One of the worst things about this book is the fact that Allende seems to keep in mind constantly that she is writing for kids. A good book can be appreciated by adults and children alike. You don't have to dumb it down. But dumb it down she does -- she seems to think that not only is her audience young, but also too unintelligent to appreciate good literature.

While Allende gives great care to her regular novels, here she seems sloppy, having her heroes magically develop powers whenever they are needed. For example, there's a language barrier between Alexander and the People. No problem -- he just "listens with his heart" and the language thing isn't a problem.

Part of the book's dullness is the extreme detail that Allende throws in, apparently to show that she did her research. Enormous stretches are devoted to life on the Amazon, justifying ritual cannibalism and interbreeding polygamy. In other words, when she wants to lecture readers about piranha, expect the plot to grind to a halt. Unfortunately, that focus on detail also kills all sense of urgency -- when someone is murdered, the others don't get upset. Instead they argue about funerary rites.

Moreover, Allende's attention seems to wander halfway through the book -- she seems to forget all about the "conspiracy" and Alexander's dying mother, only to yank up the plot threads a few hundred pages later. The backhistory of the mysterious "Beasts" is both boring and silly, as is the frantic conspiracy that Allende rigs up near the end.

Alexander Cold is a ridiculously boring character, especially since halfway through the book, he sheds all his doubts and fears. Nadia is portrayed as a quirky, magical girl, but her New-Age preaching and preening make her seem like a mouthpiece. Kate comes across as abusive rather than strong, and the professor is so absurdly racist, sexist and boorish that he's impossible to take seriously. All "modern" people are evil or whiny, while the Indians are noble -- in other words, Allende opted to write cliches rather than characters.

And most unforgivably: The preachiness. On every other page Allende reminds us how wonderful nature is, despite portraying the Amazon as a nightmare hole, and having a seemingly sympathetic character murder an animal to "set it free." She never makes us feel any awe or love for nature, or any real urgency to conserve the wild places of the world.

The beauty of nature -- and human nature -- are lacking in "City of the Beasts," a sloppy and poorly thought-out excuse for a fantasy. Allende should stick to magical realism.

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3.0 out of 5 stars A NEW DIRECTION IN A RIGHT WAY.
Isabel Allende's "City Of The Beasts" it's an entertaining book about adventures a-la-Jones, Isabel Allendes master description and turn twisting writing still here but with a... Read more

Published on May 16 2004 by S. Quinto

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant New Series for Teens
Fifteen-year-old, Alexander Cold, is given the opportunity of a lifetime, when his fearless Grandmother, a magazine reporter for INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, invites him to tag along... Read more

Published on April 24 2004 by Erika Sorocco

3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to Allende's standards
Okay, even the great writers have lapses so Allende should be forgiven for this one. It reads as if she threw it together to appeal to all the Harry Potter fans and I mentally... Read more

Published on April 14 2004

2.0 out of 5 stars The second book was much better
I read first El Reino del Dragon de Oro and I like that book very much, then I read this one and the first part is very good, but the second half of the book is just boring, when... Read more

Published on Mar 11 2004 by Jorge Frid

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for young readers
There is an age all young readers get to where their reading abilities and interests don't mesh well. Capable of reading full sized adult novels, they find them boring. Read more

Published on Jan 29 2004 by gotta run now

4.0 out of 5 stars honest and unusual, if a bit out of control at the end
Alex's mother has cancer, so he is shipped off to the east coast to spend time with his grandmother, who turns out to be a reckless adventuress. Read more

Published on Dec 23 2003 by H.S. Cross

1.0 out of 5 stars Allende is no J.K. Rowling....
I deeply respect allende but she really messed up with this one. To me, this is a vulgar attempt at a latinamerican Harry Potter-ish novel of adventure. Read more

Published on Oct 14 2003 by Juan C Villamil

2.0 out of 5 stars Well-trodden paths
I never planned to read "City of the Beasts". I spotted recently "El Reino del Dragon de Oro" at an airport. Read more

Published on Oct 10 2003 by MR G. Rodgers

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book !
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS. I LOVE ISABEL ALLENDE AND THIS BOOK IS A GREAT FANTASY AND LOST OF FUN.

Published on Aug 8 2003 by K. Martinez

3.0 out of 5 stars the book is fascinating if you're 16
I like the beginning part of the book as it describe the life of the boy but as the story began to proceed, the story became too predictable and the plot seemed to be like from... Read more

Published on July 28 2003

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