Herrera is such a master of this concise, immediate story-telling, and fills it with so much introspection and commentary without adding bulk, I'm just amazed with every book. I particularly liked the metaphors of structure here. ( )

This is an entertaining and offbeat novella, part fable, part crime drama and part social commentary. Nicely translated. Herrera is considered one of Mexico's finest novelists and yes, I also enjoyed, Signs Preceding the End of the World but I have to admit, he hasn't quite blown me away yet. Next time, perhaps? ( )

Possibly my first ever Mexican writer. This was longlisted for the Tournament of Books, so I picked it up, but at 103 pages it was hardly around long enough to leave a lasting impression. Some nice courtly intrigue and a light, accessible translation, but all too brief for my tastes. ( )

4.5.

A pesar de ser la primera novela de Yuri Herrera, muestra un talento y un trabajo del lenguaje verdaderamente envidiable. Si crees que la mal-llamada (y mal-querida) "narco-literatura" ya no tenía nada que ofrecer y se oxidó sin remedio, Herrera nos muestra un norte y un ambiente tan poético como real. No es mostrar una violencia gratuita, sino llevar a cabo una minuciosa y bellísima exploración del choque entre el artista y el poderoso.

Por un buen tiempo tuve miedo de que la literatura mexicana fuera en un irremediable declive. Yuri Herrera me demuestra que no es así. ( )

A beautiful, abstract little novella set in the world of crime lords and their followers, literalizing the "crime boss as feudal lord" metaphor. ( )