Río Muerto

This book was a difficult read. The most difficult part is the fact that this work of fiction is rooted in the real life terrors of people living in Colombia. The protagonist, Hipólita, has lost her husband-knowing he has been shot by a powerful and brutal man, and his cronies. She falls deep into rage and grief and only see martyrdom as the answer for justice. What makes her stance so gut-wrenching is that she wants her boys to also die with her. The author creates Hipólita as a realistic and conflicted person living under extreme oppression-ready to burn everything down. Her actions also beg the questions: what can one person do against injustice? Can grief blind you to truths? What if your desire for right and wrong to be uncovered is warped with selfishness? And can hope really endure in times of never-ending war? As Hipólita barrels towards the end she desires, her deceased husband becomes her counterbalance-desperately trying to snap her out of her rage and show her love once again. And while he was a man of flaws while alive, as laid bare through his rehashing, his love for his family burns bright-helping him to come to terms with his life, while trying to save his family through hope.

This book is not an easy read but it isn’t meant to be. Go into it willing to learn and be humbled by what others live with everyday. It’s not for the faint of heart.

My thoughts are conflicted on this book, it was a bit confusing at first and hard to get into but the farther I got into the novel the more it started to grab me. It is a heart wrenching story of one family that endured terrifying acts of the corrupt. This is just one story of many that could be told of the horrific things that have happened for many, many years and still happen to this day in Columbia. The end of the book goes into detail explaining the attempts to fix the corruption, mainly due to drug trafficking, throughout the years, unfortunately the problem is no less now than before. Very, very sad to know that even though this is fiction it is telling a story of nonfiction events.

"Rio Muerto" by Ricardo Silva Romero is a captivating and darkly atmospheric novel that delves into the complexities of Colombian society, blending elements of mystery, psychological thriller, and social commentary. The translated version preserves the essence of Silva Romero's prose and storytelling, allowing English-speaking readers to immerse themselves in the rich narrative tapestry he weaves.

Set against the backdrop of Colombia's tumultuous history, "Rio Muerto" follows the journey of its protagonist as he navigates the treacherous waters of memory, identity, and trauma. The novel's intricate plot unfolds through a series of interconnected vignettes, each revealing a new layer of the protagonist's psyche and the society in which he lives.

Silva Romero's writing is both lyrical and visceral, drawing readers into the visceral reality of his characters' experiences while also exploring larger themes of violence, corruption, and the search for redemption. The novel's evocative imagery and vivid descriptions create a sense of place that is both haunting and immersive, transporting readers to the streets of Bogotá and the murky depths of the human soul.

At its core, "Rio Muerto" is a thought-provoking exploration of memory and the ways in which the past continues to shape our present and future. Through its complex characters and intricate plot twists, the novel challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in literature that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling.

I found this book to be different than I expected. Although the slow pace of the beginning was a bit tedious for me, I really enjoyed reading the book once I got past the initial chapters. It had the mystery element that I had been hoping for, and I found myself engaged in the story in the end The characters were well-written, a solid 3 stars for me

My 6P review: publication, plot, people, place, prose/pace, praise

Salomon the mute, is murdered a few steps away from his home and his widow, the courageous and foul mouthed Hipolta loses her sanity and challenges those in the community to kill her and her sons.

Told from the ghost of Salomon, the story explores the violence in Columbia and the corruption throughout the community from the ranks of the police to the pastor who thinks he is one step below God.

It also tells of the love between Hipolita and Salomon and the determination of their sons Maximiliano and Segundo to not only bring their mother out of her stupor but to convince her that they do not need to die as well.

The author used very long sentences, but they seemed to flow. The writing was actually very poetic.

I do not know enough about the trials of the people of Columbia to have felt strongly about this book and that is probably a fault on my part more than the author.

I would recommend this book purely for the way it was written

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in return for an honest review

Right off the bat, I'm rating Río Muerto by Ricardo Silva Romero as five stars because the author writes about an issue that so many people have no clue about. I'm not going to do a deep dive into politics, the destabilization of Central and South American countries by the U.S., and their ongoing repercussions, but if anyone is interested, really take a critical look at the U.S.'s history in our neighboring countries.

It's hard to think through what to write on this one. All I have running through my mind is the couple I met over ten years ago who told me their story of how they had testified on the floor of Congress regarding atrocities that occurred in Brasil following a dictator coming to power in the 60s. The way she was haunted by what she had seen, even more so because nothing was done after her testimony to help those still experiencing horrors, has sat in my heart since our conversation. There is so much that if people knew about the history of Central and South American countries, they'd maybe have empathy and understanding for why there is still a lack of stability in many countries.

The story is an exploration of navigating grief and surviving impossible conditions. It's haunting, and haunted. After Salomon's death, Hipólita is pretty much completely shut down. As she comes out of her grief (maybe not exactly coming out of her grief, just expressing in a different way), we see her take on the town that turned an eye or abetted the killers when her husband was executed in the street. I feel like I need to re-read, because there was so much to take in. I really hope the book has tremendous success, as I really would love to see more books like this in the public narrative. We can't afford to be insular and ignore the pain of others. I really loved the way this story was told, and highly recommend it. It is dark, it is going to hit hard, but these are the stories that need to be told.

Please be advised that I received an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

<i>Rio Meurto</i> is a fictional poetic presentation of violent conditions in Columbia. The protagonist, Hipoilta Arenas has had enough of the brutal conditions surrounding her village and she is willing to pay he ultimate price. <i>Rio Meurto</i> is written by well-known author and poet Silva Romero.

Belén del Chamí, is a small town that does not appear any map of Colombia. The mute Salomón Palacios is murdered as he arrives home on evening. His widow, Hipólita Arenas, is so distraught that she challenges her husband’s murderers to kill her and her two sons. The two sons are not so certain that they wish to die but their mother insists that they should confront her husband’s murderers so that they all may join him the afterlife. At the last minute, Hipolita finds that she may wish to stay alive. The story is told in a very poetic format by Salomon’s ghost, who remains connected to his family throughout his wife’s period of insanity.

The story is told in such a way that is it difficult to follow. Although it is poetic and fascinating at times, the story as a whole did not hold my interest.

The characters are the strong points in the story. The widow is a strong and passionate character who insists that she and her sons be killed since they cannot live without her husband. She becomes a thorn in the side of her husband’s murderer. Her oldest son is the hardest of the two boys and he often takes his violent tendencies out on his younger brother. The younger of the two lives in fear all of the time and yet he feels he deserves the wrath he receives from his older brother. The overseer is Salomon the ghost who narrates the story for us and adds colour throughout. If not for these characters I would not have been able to finish the story.

This novel suits people who like Spanish stories told in a poetic fashion. I give the book a 3 on 5 since I found it difficult to follow at times.
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Very slow novela, heartbreakingly telling the story of many families in Colombia from a small village and dealing with the military, the police, the guerillas and the paramilitary.

The story drew me in very well, but upon finishing it, I was left very disappointed. We meandered painfully toward a lack of real resolution for any of the characters. Well written and capturing this period beautifully with details, but overall an unrewarding read.

Thanks to NetGalley and World Editions for the US edition ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Rio Muerto. The pace of the story was consistent throughout the whole story. It was definitely a marathon, not a race. There were a couple of parts that I reread for better understanding, but this didn't take away from the quality of the work. The characters were the stars. I especially enjoyed the widow. I think being a Latina helped me understand her POV a little deeper than most. The drama reminds me of my mother - also a widow. I look forward to purchasing a physical copy of this book. I will definitely order the original Spanish version. I believe some of the emotion of this book was lost in translation.

This book had me in tears within the first few pages & I'm not one to cry often for books. This is a story of a strong female lead & 2 sons as told through the eyes of her husband's ghost. We see the journey of a rage-filled woman fueled by grief & loss & the pentup frustration of injustices in her community. We see characters coming into their own, stepping into new roles despite being unsure of how to navigate their new situation. We see the true strength & wisdom of the emotionally "weaker" character shine through. Overall, it is a great fictional story that brings awareness to the ongoing struggles of Colombia through a family dealing with grief as they figure out their next steps.

following the family as they deal with the death of a family member who is a traitor to the church.

the author translating the book has embodied catholicism in a accurate way.

the plot showcases familial grief in a wonderful way as well as dealing with the behaviour of corrupt public figures.

overall, this was a really powerful story. the last couple of chapters in particular made me really emotional.

"Río Muerto" by Ricardo Silva Romero is a chilling and dark novel that delves into the negative side of Colombian society with unflinching honesty. Set in Medellín, the story unfolds through the eyes of multiple characters whose lives intersect around the central murder mystery of Salomón.
Silva Romero's writing is both lyrical and descriptive, painting a vivid portrait of a city haunted by its past and grappling with its present realities. The characters are deeply flawed yet undeniably human, each grappling with their own demons and desires.