Student Blogs

Coming from East Asia, I didn’t know much about the Spanish Civil War beforehand, but after reading the book I got a decent level of understanding of the historical event from the information provided in the novel and through my own research. I find the quote “[The Nationalist side] had won the war but lost […] read full post >>

Reading Javier Cercas’ Soldiers of Salamis felt like playing a game of two truths and a lie. On the very first page, the narrator starts off with stating three things that have happened to him, however, he later reveals that he’s lying as only “the first two are factual” (3). The question of whether the novel is […] read full post >>

This novel has so many areas that can be explored. From memory, to morality, to information, to accuracy and the nature of fiction and literature! I really enjoyed this read. Particularly the first and third sections. I found the second section to be a bit dry – though it was intriguing to know more of […] read full post >>

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I would say my engagement with this novel fluctuated. As the fictional Cercas states to Bolano (fun little cameo by the way), “It’s a story with real events and characters. A true tale” (192), though the lecture video renders it clear that this novel is definitely partly fictionalised. The parts I found the most engaging […] read full post >>

Javier Cercas’ Soldiers of Salamis is a novel set after the Spanish Civil War, where the narrator is attempting to understand the story of one soldier. The story focuses on a political prisoner, I believe, at the time and how they escape from a firing squad. I had found interesting in the novel the topic […] read full post >>

This novel confused me from the moment I read its title. Mainly because I couldn't see the link between Dictatorship-era Spain and the actual Battle of Salamis. I still can't, to be honest. The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle between the Persians and the Greeks like 2500 years ago. When I look it up to try and find an answer to my question, all I get is that it's a "metaphorical allusion". If anyone has any ideas as to why the title of the novel is what it is, please let me know.

Otherwise, I really enjoy the blend of fact and fiction, though I often have to remind myself that it isn't meant to be taken literally; kind of like when I watch a biopic and then find out later that lots of the movie was just dramatised and doesn't actually reflect reality. I find the unreliable narrator more likeable in this novel than others we have read with unreliable narrators (such as W, Or The Memory Of Childhood). Maybe because the narrative voice feels stronger here, I'm not sure. Either way, the process of reading this book felt like I was actively trying to suss out the reality from the fabricated, which made me feel like a more active participant in the telling of the story.

I found some of the political takes to be quite interesting. A line that piqued my interest was 'I don't know what you think, sir, but to me a civilised country is one where people don't have to waste their time on politics.' (p21 of my pdf). This line made me think about the scope of politics and what exactly it means. My guess is that Aguirre (the guy who said the line) was talking more about political parties and who is in government, to which I don't entirely disagree. But politics isn't just that, it permeates every level of our society. I guess the statement also depends on who we are counting as "people". If "people" means  everyone who has historically been able to turn a blind eye to the reality of the politics around them in society, that is leaving out a huge chunk of the population. I don't know, truthfully my thoughts on this sentence are still a little half-baked and I need to think through all of the possible scenarios and combinations before I can claim to understand my own opinion and where I stand.

With all that said, my question to you is: do you think a civilised country is one where people don't waste their time with politics? Do you agree with Aguirre? 

Bonus question: do you know why the title is Soldiers of Salamis?

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This novel confused me from the moment I read its title. Mainly because I couldn't see the link between Dictatorship-era Spain and the actual Battle of Salamis. I still can't, to be honest. The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle between the Persians and the Greeks like 2500 years ago. When I look it up to try and find an answer to my question, all I get is that it's a "metaphorical allusion". If anyone has any ideas as to why the title of the novel is what it is, please let me know.

Otherwise, I really enjoy the blend of fact and fiction, though I often have to remind myself that it isn't meant to be taken literally; kind of like when I watch a biopic and then find out later that lots of the movie was just dramatised and doesn't actually reflect reality. I find the unreliable narrator more likeable in this novel than others we have read with unreliable narrators (such as W, Or The Memory Of Childhood). Maybe because the narrative voice feels stronger here, I'm not sure. Either way, the process of reading this book felt like I was actively trying to suss out the reality from the fabricated, which made me feel like a more active participant in the telling of the story.

I found some of the political takes to be quite interesting. A line that piqued my interest was 'I don't know what you think, sir, but to me a civilised country is one where people don't have to waste their time on politics.' (p21 of my pdf). This line made me think about the scope of politics and what exactly it means. My guess is that Aguirre (the guy who said the line) was talking more about political parties and who is in government, to which I don't entirely disagree. But politics isn't just that, it permeates every level of our society. I guess the statement also depends on who we are counting as "people". If "people" means  everyone who has historically been able to turn a blind eye to the reality of the politics around them in society, that is leaving out a huge chunk of the population. I don't know, truthfully my thoughts on this sentence are still a little half-baked and I need to think through all of the possible scenarios and combinations before I can claim to understand my own opinion and where I stand.

With all that said, my question to you is: do you think a civilised country is one where people don't waste their time with politics? Do you agree with Aguirre? 

Bonus question: do you know why the title is Soldiers of Salamis?

read full post >>

 "This is going to be a horror story. A story of murder, detection and horror. But it won't appear to be, for the simple reason that I am the teller."

Bolaño's Amulet is a powerful read, to say the least. The introduction (as quoted above) is poignant enough to captivate a reader and make them ponder about perspective. Personally, those lines developed a stream of consciousness in my mind that began to wonder about how war and revolution always have multiple sides to them, whether it may be the perspective of a civilian, an activist, a politician, or a child. 

Auxilio Lacouture played more than one role in her life - she was a poet and a mother to many. Moreover, she symbolically resisted the army's invasion of her university by hiding in the bathroom for around two weeks. As she began to recount her story, the introduction of the book became clearer than ever. I forgot about her situation and the horrors that she would have experienced. This was kind of unsettling to realize but also interesting because the narrator's intended purpose was achieved. 

I suppose that this was somewhat unsettling for me to read, especially because I could not get a proper idea of Auxilio at the moment. She came across as a very powerful personality who knew what she needed to do in any situation. This was exemplified by the distraction that she provided herself with for the two weeks she spent in hiding. 

Additionally, I believe that the lecture helped provide a new understanding of the setting of the book. The intersection of identities (cultural and otherwise) expresses how the consequences of revolutions extend beyond just the locals of a country. Moreover, one of the points mentioned in the lecture really stood out to me - how this novel by the author is a clear break from the magical realism that Latin America is usually associated with. 

Overall, I found Amulet to be an introspective read. I enjoyed the unique setting that it was placed in. Lastly, my question for the class would be: did you think that the narrations of Auxilio's past served as a powerful distraction from the events in the book? How do you think this experience would have impacted her (physically and emotionally)?

read full post >>

 "This is going to be a horror story. A story of murder, detection and horror. But it won't appear to be, for the simple reason that I am the teller."

Bolaño's Amulet is a powerful read, to say the least. The introduction (as quoted above) is poignant enough to captivate a reader and make them ponder about perspective. Personally, those lines developed a stream of consciousness in my mind that began to wonder about how war and revolution always have multiple sides to them, whether it may be the perspective of a civilian, an activist, a politician, or a child. 

Auxilio Lacouture played more than one role in her life - she was a poet and a mother to many. Moreover, she symbolically resisted the army's invasion of her university by hiding in the bathroom for around two weeks. As she began to recount her story, the introduction of the book became clearer than ever. I forgot about her situation and the horrors that she would have experienced. This was kind of unsettling to realize but also interesting because the narrator's intended purpose was achieved. 

I suppose that this was somewhat unsettling for me to read, especially because I could not get a proper idea of Auxilio at the moment. She came across as a very powerful personality who knew what she needed to do in any situation. This was exemplified by the distraction that she provided herself with for the two weeks she spent in hiding. 

Additionally, I believe that the lecture helped provide a new understanding of the setting of the book. The intersection of identities (cultural and otherwise) expresses how the consequences of revolutions extend beyond just the locals of a country. Moreover, one of the points mentioned in the lecture really stood out to me - how this novel by the author is a clear break from the magical realism that Latin America is usually associated with. 

Overall, I found Amulet to be an introspective read. I enjoyed the unique setting that it was placed in. Lastly, my question for the class would be: did you think that the narrations of Auxilio's past served as a powerful distraction from the events in the book? How do you think this experience would have impacted her (physically and emotionally)?

read full post >>

This week, I read the Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas.The story is about a journalist interviewing Rafael Sanchez Ferlosio, who is telling his father, Rafael Sanchez Mazas’s story during the Spanish Civil War.In the story, Mazas was hiding in th... read full post >>

This week, I read the Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas.The story is about a journalist interviewing Rafael Sanchez Ferlosio, who is telling his father, Rafael Sanchez Mazas’s story during the Spanish Civil War.In the story, Mazas was hiding in th... read full post >>

    Javier Cercas’s “Soldiers of Salamis” is a story which examines the human condition in wartime. From his own experience, he places the study in the context of the Spanish Civil War. A sparring match between fascist and socialist sides, it was a battle which was ultimately viewed as a precursor to World War […] read full post >>

The novel, “Soldiers of Salamis” by Javier Cercas is an interesting mix of war, memory, and imagination. I enjoyed the novel as a story, especially with its “happy ending” and open end. One of the main aspects of this novel would be its mix of reality and imagination. While it includes real people’s names and … Continue reading Week 11: Cercas’s “Soldiers of Salamis” → read full post >>