This book meant quite a bit to many people. I wish I was one of them. The best that I can briefly summarize why I reacted so viscerally against it is that it left me foundering – and not in a good way, like you want.

I didn’t try to interpret the end here, because I generally try not to discuss the endings of books as a rule. If I haven’t read a book yet, I hate it when people tell me how it is going to end and what to think about it. It’s a good conversation to have though.

I hear ya on going into a book with blinders on, but that’s tough to do for someone who obsessively follows the buzz on books. Hype doesn’t typically run me off. I like good books. Really. If I were writing a review for the Times, I would probably write about in the way that you describe – shuttering myself off from all outside influence. In reality, I’m just a dude that likes to write about books in a conversational way as though sharing impressions with a friend.

The New York Times has also named 2666 one of its ten best, and blogs that I deeply respect (Bookfox, The Millions)have been posting extended pieces on it. From the reviews that I’ve seen so far (and I’ve read most of them – there I go again…), it looks like I’d have many of the same issues.

I’m thinking of putting a post together about 2666 with the idea of having a discussion pro/con with people who care one way or the other. Have you read it?

The hipster-hype reaction. A knee-jerk aversion to something due to surrounding hype. Something gets discovered and then praised and hyped by a select few tastemakers which shortly thereafter makes it uncool to like b/c it’s not “hip” anymore.

Your only preconception of the book was that it would be outstanding. As a reviewer you should have approached it with blinders on and judged the work on its own merits, but in fairness, I can see how that could be hard.

And yeah, reviews are opinions.

But hey, y’know, it really doesn’t matter. The hipness will fade and Bolano will be remembered as one of the literary greats of the last half of the 20th century and if you miss out on that, it’s a shame, but I’m sure there are plenty of books and authors out there you like.

Time Magazine called 2666 the book of the year and NPR has a story on Bolano today, btw.:)

Really not trying to be a troll here and I apologize if I’m annoying you about a year-old book review, I just googled to find out how people interpreted the ending…and you didn’t. And I just loved the book so much. Anyway.

I’m not sure how my review is a “typical hipster reaction” since I was the only person who seems to not have cared for the book.

My only preconception about the book is that it would be outstanding. My actual reading of the book, which was only my opinion, didn’t match those expectations. It happens.

Your review reads like you didn’t actually finish the book: “Things happen that presumably explain why Lima and Belano became the men they did are portrayed in Part 2. Really it’s too late in the novel to really care anymore, but I was too close to the finish line to put the book down. I’m sure that there was some sort of payoff there at the end, but I was too excited about being done to dwell on it.”

Too late in the novel to even care anymore? What? If you think a book sucks, why waste your time on it? Why not just put it down and read something else?

Books aren’t badges of honor or notches in your belt.

This story is not your modern American ironic novel. It is an earnest, soulful, heartfelt, passionate work of art. Next time, it might be worth it to leave your preconceptions at the bookstore and approach each book with an open mind.

We just launched a book loving community – Dust Jacket Review, http://www.dustjacketreview.com. We want to be “the place” on the web for great book reviews. The concept is that, by posting new or previously published book reviews at DJR, literary bloggers can find a wider audience for their personal blogs.

Your review of The Savage Detectives could make for a great counterweight to our first DJR review of the book, seen here:
http://www.dustjacketreview.com/books/page/499205

I hope you’ll come take a look.

Best, Cheyne