The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts

In this opening salvo of a trilogy on Colombian society and politics, de Bernieres demonstrates his outstanding abilities. His descriptive powers are vivid, often chilling, in conveying what humans are capable of perpetrating on one another. He produces characters that prance over the pages in a tantalising dance, challenging you to predict their next outrage or fallacy. The story is intricately woven through a loom of surprises, tragedies, and disasters. There are light moments, but they leave you wondering what depth of misfortune is likely to follow. Lest this analysis leave you feeling the book is depressing, take heart. The author portrays solemn realism, but swifts and butterflies of hope and satisfaction will reward the reader, even if their passage seems evanescent. The "war" is more than simply the manifestations of one man's loins. Don Emmanuel is but one soldier in a wider context. De Bernieres is here campaigning for a broader sense of justice than this semi-imaginary society has been experiencing. What is the justice in a village gathering to defend a local, perhaps the last, virgin from salacious soldiers, only to have a grenade slaughtering the inhabitants. The army, supposedly called up to defend the nation, proves its most rapacious element. How to halt their depredations becomes the focus of this intricately woven tale. In one deliciously described sally, the village uses a local, well, "experienced", young women to visit the army's camp with her charms - and infections, such as neisseria [google it!]. This thinly disguised tale of modern Columbia's stresses depicts a society topped by an oligarchy of vested interests. "Right" and "Left" are but easily swopped labels by elements that have no essential differences. The "natural rulers" are buttressed by a compliant church, which is far more concerned with its own interests than that of the resident peasantry. This agrarian foundation of the country, who have little enough for themselves, occupy remote villages while underpinning the urban society. They are ready victims, easily manipulated or simply ignored. Their attackers are many and defenders few - yet it is typical of de Bernieres' sense of irony that among their champions stands an Army General. That de Bernieres has copped many awards is adequate testimony to his prowess. He entertains and informs with equal verve. A dash of fantasy added to this story brings home the fact that "religion" is a term requiring expanded definition. The new definition would encompass human feelings more intimately than our present models. Death, never welcome, becomes something less than absolute in this author's hands. If the images he depicts are but our memories of lost loved ones, perhaps we should spend more time celebrating them. These and other questions permeate this book while prompting us to confront and judge our own values. If that's de Bernieres' intent, he's succeeded admirably. [stephen a. haines - Ot

Great characters. Magical story. Corruption, greed and salvation. Humans being humans. This book has everything and I really can't recommend this book highly enough. I found Correlli's Mandolin convoluted and dragged out, although a brilliantly written book. I found this and the other two books in the trilogy to be masterful works full of passion, truth and wit. The theme of magic running throughout is fantastical and fantastic, the characters real and lovable. When a character dies, as they have a habit of doing, you are taken aback and upset, you care about them and is there a higher praise than that?Anyone who thinks that this book lacks gravitas is mistaken; De Berniere's pen is so light that he is able to fully deal with the political situation in South America without becoming bogged down in moralising or political dogma. De Berniere deals with life and death and the injustices that surround us as only a gifted writer with a soaring imagination can. I read in other people's reviews that he has borrowed heavily from other works, but seeing as I have never read these works this book is as crisp and fresh to me as "Rock around the clock" must have been when Bill Haley released it.I did have problems with the list of characters that De Berniere introduces in this book, but I started again when I got to page 50 and wrote out who was who whenever anyone new was introduced. My friend who lives in Spain just reckons it is that I am not used to Spanish names as opposed to poor characterisation that led me to this confusion, and I have to agree.I read this book on a cliff top overlooking the Atlantic in May during a heat wave and was taken to South America with the heat and dust, the valleys and forests. I even developed a worrying accent in the pubs at night. A hard read, but once you enter it, it is one of the easiest books you will ever read.I loved it. Watch out for Hectoro, a character who gets better and better throughout the trilogy.

I bought this after 'Mandolin,' expecting something similar. This expectation was not met - this book is completely different in style and form, but still displays his marvelous use of language. In any case, two of us in the house read the book by turns at the same time, reading each other bits out loud. It is one of those books where you read passages several times to enjoy the turn of phrase. The book is absolutely marvelous, no matter to the similarity to '100 Years...' Not for the faint of heart though, nor the chaste; this book is filled with graphic torture and sex.

Brilliant! A captivating and funny book filled with romance, passion and confrontation. Tender in parts ,aggressive in others truely a typical DeBernieres novel. Those familliar with his later written ,and more well known "Captain Correli's mandolin" may find this book a little more violent and political than his later peices, also the romance element is far less prominent. Unfortunately those who like their fictional novels to take a non-fictional slant may be put off by some of the more outlandish plot developements, however this shouldn't put you off the book completely. If anything the "weird and wonderfull"(yet sometimes not so pleasant) events of the book help to accentuate the passionate emotions present throughout the novel. A great read for anyone who appreciates a little peculiarity, adventure and suspense in a novel.

The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts is one of the most original books I have ever read. It is, in turns, witty and horrific but always engaging. Having travelled throughout South America myself, I found myself nodding and laughing at his cultural refrences such as the Ford Falcons. De Bernieres writing style evokes Garcia Marquez but with edgier prose. This book left me smiling and wanting more.