After reading Pedo Páramo, it felt strange. I put the book down and didn't honestly understand what I read. It took me two restarts until I could understand how to read the book. It took me three to finish it. Yet, it wasn't like I put it down. Instead, I was hooked by it, trying to crack at the puzzle multiple times. It wasn't till I just let the words flow. It was when it made sense. I felt trapped in the mixing of timelines, losing sense of the past and present. His writing is full of violence and anger, but his style isn't rugged, it's beautiful. Long drawn out proses while the dead speak and ghostly imagery, it's all written so beautifully.
"The sky was still blue, with only a few clouds. High above, there were gusts of wind, while down below it was just heating up." (39)
"I sat down to wait for death. After we found you, my bones were determined to find some rest. 'Nobody'll even notice me,' I thought. I'm not enought of anything to bother anyone. And you see, I didn't even need my own space here in the ground. They buried me in your grave, tucked away in the hollows are your arms." (60.)
A important figure in the world of Latin Magical Realism, Rulfo has already become a favorite of mine. I desperately want to read his short story collection, The Burning Plain, but I haven't had time to pick it up yet. It took me about a week to find a movie he wrote, Do You Hear the Dogs Barking?, but I found it on youtube. There are no English subtitles, so I watched it in Spanish. I'd like to say I understood it, but I did not. I hope for there to be a translation someday. If anyone is intrested in the movie, it's worth a watch.
Do You Hear the Dogs Barking?I also saw that there is a adaptation of Pedro Páramo on Netflix, but I am yet to watch that also. Maybe tonight? I will update this if I do haha.
That is all. I just wanted to talk briefly about Juan Rulfo and Pedro Páramo. I don't know how casual I want to keep this or maybe try a more serious review. Because I am having a lot of fun reflecting after I am done reading. But I also like how brief this was.
Any who. The book is picking up a big following and I was able to find multiple copies at my local bookstore. Give Pedro Páramo a try. CST - 05/06/25