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Breaking Lorca (2009)

by Giles Blunt(Favorite Author)

3.58 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0307357007 (ISBN13: 9780307357007)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Random House Canada

review 1: Breaking Lorca is a deeply disturbing book. The scenes of torture, violence and rape (mostly during the El Salvadoran civil war) are described in graphic, heartrending detail. However, this novel’s bleak cynicism and dark plot is not overwhelming. The scenes of pure humanity, the amazingly vivid passages and the final scene of redemption make Breaking Lorca an insightful, moving novel that is careful not to allow the violence to overshadow the entire story.
review 2: This story is a taunting and disturbing account of how far people in a position of authority will go in order to obtain what they want and remain in power. Through a compelling and provoking narrative the readers are taken on a harrowing journey where there is no mercy. This vivid and emotionally... more charged account relates how countrymen are subjected to physical, mental and emotional destruction in order to keep them submissive. Giles Blunt is known for his "John Cardinal" series but this suspenseful tale is a standalone novel. The first part immerses the reader into a troubled time in the early 80's when El Salvador was in a vicious civil war and the average citizen's life meant nothing to those in power. The second part focuses on two of the citizens who made it to the U.S... The protagonist is Victor Pena, a former officer, rescued form a firing squad to be a key player in a secret unit dedicated to acquiring intelligence. Victor finds himself out of his depth in this unit, violence and savagery are not part of his makeup, but right now it is his only option to stay alive. Victor soon finds himself up against a mysterious female detainee named Lorca who he cannot help but admire; he finds her strength and determination under prolonged torture to be impressive. In the last part of the novel, Victor is sent to Fort Bening in the U.S. to hone his training. Once there, he sees an opportunity to escape the position he is in and find freedom. Driven by his conscience, his aim is to locate Lorca who has miraculously survived and is believed to be hiding in New York. He is constantly haunted by past memories and feels he could lessen the pain by redeeming himself in her eyes... Mr. Blunt's background in TV is evident, the writing is very crisp, the characters are so real and the dialogue creates a virtual picture, the graphic details of torture are horrific and gut wrenching. It is hard to believe people can contemplate doing this to others and carry on life as if nothing happened. This dark novel is not for everyone, it brings to life what is believed to have transpired during a time of political turmoil in El Salvador. Although the ending left me a little disappointed, it had a bit too much flash and bang for a novel, it seems the concluding chapter was meant more for the big screen, nevertheless I enjoyed every page less

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