Genre: Literary Fiction, Horror
Author: Andrés Barba
Year Published: 2017
TWs: Death
Rating: 4/5
This book is not the kind of book I would generally pick up. When I read the synopsis though, it immediately sparked my interest and I decided to give it a shot. Although it is written by a Spanish author, the book is set in Argentina. Argentina is definitely a country I would love to visit one day. Until then, let’s dive right into ‘A Luminous Republic’!
“Comfort is something that sticks to one’s mind like a damp shirt, and only after making an unexpected move does it become clear that one is stuck.”
Synopsis (spoiler-free, always)
Nestled on the outskirts of a dense jungle in a tropical town in Argentina, a narrative unfolds through the eyes of a civil servant. Urban issues simmer beneath the surface of the town’s tranquillity until an unsettling event disrupts its calm. A group of wild children emerges from the nearby wilderness, their presence a stark contrast to the compliant indigenous children already residing there.
As the town grapples with this unforeseen disruption, a committee led by the protagonist attempts to address the surge of child beggars. This reveals the stark societal divide between the affluent elite and the marginalised indigenous community. While the indigenous children fade into the background, the arrival of the exuberant outsiders threatens to upset the delicate balance of the town, inciting fear and unrest among its residents.
“It may be true that the dead betray us when they abandon us, but we too betray them in order to live.”
My Thoughts
As I mentioned before, this is not the kind of book I usually go for but I was pleasantly surprised by it. The narrator was truly the star of the book and kept me hooked with his ominous tone. The whole plot line of the mysterious children and their ‘civilisation’ reminded me of ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding. The incidents with the town’s children also reminded me of ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ by the Grimm Brothers. Both are books I love and it was so much fun to see certain aspects of each of them in this story. Another thing I liked was the way the characters were ‘real’ with good and bad sides to them. They were not written as heroes or villains, they were simply written as people.
I also loved the writing style. Even though this book was relatively short, there were so many quotes I liked and highlighted. It was so hard to decide which ones to add to this post! Lastly, the ending was done in a style I have a love-hate relationship with. The kind of ending that leaves you with more questions than answers. The kind of ending that tells you that even though the book is over there is more to the story! This book was a wild ride and I am so glad I decided to step out of my usual genres to give it a read.
If you are looking for a short but truly unique read, this is the book for you!
Happy Reading!
About the Author
- Such Small Hands
- August, October
- The Right Intention
Find more on his Goodreads page!