Welcome to The Mookse and the Gripes Readalong of Roberto Bolaño’s The Savage Detectives! This is the preliminary discussion thread. Please feel free here to introduce yourself, to talk about your experience (or in-) with the book or Bolaño, or to gab about the readalong schedule, etc. Are you reading in the English translation by Natasha Wimmer, the original Spanish, or some other language?
I just scheduled the first week's readalong thread for Saturday morning! That thread will be for the first week's reading. While the thread will be up so people can share general thoughts or cheer each other along, spoilers shouldn't be posted there until Saturday, February 17. I'm excited!
For those reading an edition that is not like mine (Picador PB from the US), the reading is up to the break in text before "November 20." I will post the breaks in each week's reading thread, but for those who want it now so they can plan, here you go:
Week 1, Feb 10-17: Up to "November 20"
Week 2, Feb 18-24: To the end of Part 1
Week 3, Feb 25-Mar 2: To the end of Part 2, chapter 6
Week 4, Mar 3-9: To the end of Part 2, chapter 9
Week 5, Mar 10-16: To the end of Part 2, chapter 15
Week 6, Mar 17-23: To the end of Part 2, chapter 19
Week 7, Mar 24-30: To the end of Part 2, chapter 23
Hey, Agus from Buenos Aires here. Huge Bolaño fan, I've read Detectives six times or so. The last one was in Ciudad de México trying to trace in person all the thinly veiled references in the novel. First thing I did as soon as I landed was going for chilaquiles for breakfast in Café La Habana (Café Quito in the book) cause that's what the have in the book and where they hang out. Looking forward to the readalong.
Hey! Nico from Brooklyn here. Thanks so much for putting this together—I love the podcast and am really looking forward to reading The Savage Detectives with you all.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Bolañoverse over the past few years, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Funny to look back on it now, but I bought one of the three-volume U.S. editions of 2666 in high school (mostly based on its looks and its lurid cover copy), muddled my way through without understanding much, and didn’t think about it over the next 10+ years except when I felt it glaring menacingly at me from my bookshelves.
When I read it again a few years ago, I knew before I’d finished that it was a turning point in my reading life: it’s become a touchstone for me, the kind of deeply affecting work that hovers at the edge of your consciousness whenever you pick up a new novel, inviting comparisons that are almost impossible to live up to. There’s something about Bolaño’s perspective that I find very easy to tap into; the worlds of his novels feel so complete, just short of real.
I don’t get to discuss novels much with my friends (if they read, it’s mostly nonfiction), so I’m (clearly) very excited to read along with everyone here. My job can be kind of nuts, but I’ll contribute as often as I can.
Hello! This is Connor. Huge Bolano fan here. I’ve read all of his work besides some of the newer releases (Spirit of Science Fiction and Cowboy Graves). I am a diehard obsessive reader of 2666. This will be the 3rd reading of Savage Detectives for me. The first time was pretty much directly after the first time I read 2666 since, like a lot of people, once you finish 2666 you want to devour everything Bolano. I was surprised at first how different Savage is to 2666 but as I came more familiar with Bolano there’s plenty of noticeable similarities especially the way he portrays a mood / a feeling more than anything. There is also the connection to 2666 in that at the very end 2666 we find out that Among Bolaño's notes for 2666 there appears the single line: "the narrator of 2666 is Arturo Belano."
If anyone has any pre-reading suggestions, please share! I’m wondering about articles or books or whatever! I have some I have been collecting that I will share soon (I’m not trying to build suspense, I’m just not home right now).
I'm actually in the opposite situation to Trevor and Paul: this was the first Bolaño I've read and I haven't read 2666 yet. I intermittently read Savage Detectives with large gaps of time between, so this works out as I've been planning to do a proper continuous re-read this year. Excited to join!
I'll be jumping back and forth between the spanish (Alfaguara) and the english one.
I might also have to buy and read The Spirit of Science Fiction as I've heard it is a precursor.
Jan 28·edited Jan 28Liked by Trevor Berrett, Paul Wilson
Hi! I'm Erin in MA. I found the discussion! I've ordered a copy of the book from the library - in Spanish! Looking forward to this - I've been meaning to read Bolaño a while now! I think it'll be much more fun in a group. I am new to Substack - a friend who knew I wanted to read this book pointed me at this readalong.
I saw Rayuela/Hopscotch on an earlier post of books you want to get to someday - that's another one that intimidates me and I'd love to get to, just sayin' ...
Hi there - What a great idea! I'm going to try to read along, although I usually have trouble following online reading groups. Maybe having the discussions here on Substack will help. Maybe? I've actually already read The Savage Detectives, at least ten, possibly fifteen years ago, somewhere in there. I really enjoyed it and have always intended to read more by Bolaño, but so far haven't done so. I have several of his other books, including 2666. I'm very interested to read 2666, but to be honest, I'm afraid that I won't be able to make it through the couple hundred pages of mutilated and murdered women. Is it really as bad as it sounds? In any case, I'm looking forward to rereading The Savage Detectives!
Nina from NYC. I have not read Bolano but one of my children is a fan. Have al ot of other reading obligations but I am going to try to keep up. So glad you are doing this.
Hello friends! It's Russell from Philly, and I'm super stoked for this Savage Detectives read-along; ever since reading 2666 many years ago, I've had my eyes on Savage, so I'm really excited to finally get to it with a great group of great readers; I had a professor in college who named this novel one of his favorites of all time
If I weren't in the middle of five other reading projects, I would use this opportunity to finally open the Spanish edition that I've had on my shelf for years.
Hello fellow bookworms! Randal from Iowa in the U.S.A. here. I recently discovered the podcast and was excited to hear about this readalong. I've only read Nazi Literature in the Americas, but I kinda knew I'd be a fan of Bolaño's writing from when I read the first several pages of 2666 a few years ago when I ordered a copy of his masterpiece. I knew, though, I'd want to read The Savage Detectives first, so this readlong is perfect. Thanks to Trevor and Paul for hosting this. I'm looking forward to what everyone has to say about it.
hi all, I'm Eli from Melbourne. came across this on Twitter and really liked the idea. it'll give me the impetus to open one of the imposing Bolaño volumes on my bookshelf, and bounce what I have no doubt will be fervent, mad ideas off of one another. thanks!
Hello all! I was going to read this later in the year after reading several other books, but this readalong was timed perfectly to move up in the queue for me! I'm reading in English. It'll be my first work by Bolaño - I know a lot of people and articles recommend starting with 2666 but I wanted to start here instead, something smaller and earlier in his career (plus, I typically don't start with an author's "best work" or magnum opus as a rule). Really looking forward to this!
Hello all, I am loving the enthusiasm and happy to see so many Bolano experienced rereaders. I on the other hand am almost a Bolano virgin having only read one novel and some shorter pieces, so I feel I will gain much from this. I also am happy to see familiar names from blogs and other various literary stops I have made and happy to share the space with you. I will be reading the Wimmer translation. BTW, am new to substack, terribly awkward with social media so pardon my shyness till I get more comfortable with the platform
As for bolano I've read most of his books have nine under review on the blog had read this and 2666 but hadn't reviewed the ms u wanted to leave them to last on the blog
About the reading schedule - are they just by page or are there some chapter titles or other guides we could use to match up different editions of the book with different page numbers? Mine's only 609pp long (tiny font, so annoying, it's what the library had...)
Hi, all! Learned about this read along through a GR group. I have read two of Bolaño's shorter works (A Little Lumpen Novelita & The Skating Rink) & was not wowed. <ducking> The Savage Detectives seems like a book that readers need to read, so I'm joining in so that I can learn more & hopefully join in the Bolaño love. (Btw -- Hi, Sam! Hi, Erin! Erin, I love the suggestion of a Hopscotch read along at some point. I've read it but would read again for a group discussion.) Thanks for putting this together & I look forward to participating. Thanks!
I just scheduled the first week's readalong thread for Saturday morning! That thread will be for the first week's reading. While the thread will be up so people can share general thoughts or cheer each other along, spoilers shouldn't be posted there until Saturday, February 17. I'm excited!
For those reading an edition that is not like mine (Picador PB from the US), the reading is up to the break in text before "November 20." I will post the breaks in each week's reading thread, but for those who want it now so they can plan, here you go:
Week 1, Feb 10-17: Up to "November 20"
Week 2, Feb 18-24: To the end of Part 1
Week 3, Feb 25-Mar 2: To the end of Part 2, chapter 6
Week 4, Mar 3-9: To the end of Part 2, chapter 9
Week 5, Mar 10-16: To the end of Part 2, chapter 15
Week 6, Mar 17-23: To the end of Part 2, chapter 19
Week 7, Mar 24-30: To the end of Part 2, chapter 23
Week 8, Mar 31-Apr 6: To the end of Part 2
Week 9, Apr 7-13: To the end of the book
Here are the weekly reading threads. I'll update this as they go up.
-Preliminary Thread: https://mookse.substack.com/p/the-savage-detectives-preliminary/comments
-Week 1: https://mookse.substack.com/p/week-1-the-savage-detectives-readalong/comments
-Week 2: https://mookse.substack.com/p/week-2-the-savage-detectives-readalong/comments
-Week 3: https://mookse.substack.com/p/week-3-the-savage-detectives-readalong/comments
-Week 4: https://mookse.substack.com/p/week-4-the-savage-detectives-readalong/comments
Hi everyone! Really looking forward to chatting with all of you. 2666 is one of my all-time favorites and I’m long overdue to read this one.
Hello everyone! This is Trevor. Right now Paul and I are recording our Episode 73, but I'll pop on to introduce some ideas and see how this works out!
Hey, Agus from Buenos Aires here. Huge Bolaño fan, I've read Detectives six times or so. The last one was in Ciudad de México trying to trace in person all the thinly veiled references in the novel. First thing I did as soon as I landed was going for chilaquiles for breakfast in Café La Habana (Café Quito in the book) cause that's what the have in the book and where they hang out. Looking forward to the readalong.
Hey! Nico from Brooklyn here. Thanks so much for putting this together—I love the podcast and am really looking forward to reading The Savage Detectives with you all.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Bolañoverse over the past few years, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Funny to look back on it now, but I bought one of the three-volume U.S. editions of 2666 in high school (mostly based on its looks and its lurid cover copy), muddled my way through without understanding much, and didn’t think about it over the next 10+ years except when I felt it glaring menacingly at me from my bookshelves.
When I read it again a few years ago, I knew before I’d finished that it was a turning point in my reading life: it’s become a touchstone for me, the kind of deeply affecting work that hovers at the edge of your consciousness whenever you pick up a new novel, inviting comparisons that are almost impossible to live up to. There’s something about Bolaño’s perspective that I find very easy to tap into; the worlds of his novels feel so complete, just short of real.
I don’t get to discuss novels much with my friends (if they read, it’s mostly nonfiction), so I’m (clearly) very excited to read along with everyone here. My job can be kind of nuts, but I’ll contribute as often as I can.
Hello! This is Connor. Huge Bolano fan here. I’ve read all of his work besides some of the newer releases (Spirit of Science Fiction and Cowboy Graves). I am a diehard obsessive reader of 2666. This will be the 3rd reading of Savage Detectives for me. The first time was pretty much directly after the first time I read 2666 since, like a lot of people, once you finish 2666 you want to devour everything Bolano. I was surprised at first how different Savage is to 2666 but as I came more familiar with Bolano there’s plenty of noticeable similarities especially the way he portrays a mood / a feeling more than anything. There is also the connection to 2666 in that at the very end 2666 we find out that Among Bolaño's notes for 2666 there appears the single line: "the narrator of 2666 is Arturo Belano."
If anyone has any pre-reading suggestions, please share! I’m wondering about articles or books or whatever! I have some I have been collecting that I will share soon (I’m not trying to build suspense, I’m just not home right now).
Hi all,
I'm Shawn from Miami.
I'm actually in the opposite situation to Trevor and Paul: this was the first Bolaño I've read and I haven't read 2666 yet. I intermittently read Savage Detectives with large gaps of time between, so this works out as I've been planning to do a proper continuous re-read this year. Excited to join!
I'll be jumping back and forth between the spanish (Alfaguara) and the english one.
I might also have to buy and read The Spirit of Science Fiction as I've heard it is a precursor.
Hi! I'm Erin in MA. I found the discussion! I've ordered a copy of the book from the library - in Spanish! Looking forward to this - I've been meaning to read Bolaño a while now! I think it'll be much more fun in a group. I am new to Substack - a friend who knew I wanted to read this book pointed me at this readalong.
I saw Rayuela/Hopscotch on an earlier post of books you want to get to someday - that's another one that intimidates me and I'd love to get to, just sayin' ...
Hi there - What a great idea! I'm going to try to read along, although I usually have trouble following online reading groups. Maybe having the discussions here on Substack will help. Maybe? I've actually already read The Savage Detectives, at least ten, possibly fifteen years ago, somewhere in there. I really enjoyed it and have always intended to read more by Bolaño, but so far haven't done so. I have several of his other books, including 2666. I'm very interested to read 2666, but to be honest, I'm afraid that I won't be able to make it through the couple hundred pages of mutilated and murdered women. Is it really as bad as it sounds? In any case, I'm looking forward to rereading The Savage Detectives!
Nina from NYC. I have not read Bolano but one of my children is a fan. Have al ot of other reading obligations but I am going to try to keep up. So glad you are doing this.
Hello friends! It's Russell from Philly, and I'm super stoked for this Savage Detectives read-along; ever since reading 2666 many years ago, I've had my eyes on Savage, so I'm really excited to finally get to it with a great group of great readers; I had a professor in college who named this novel one of his favorites of all time
If I weren't in the middle of five other reading projects, I would use this opportunity to finally open the Spanish edition that I've had on my shelf for years.
Hi stu from
Winstonsdad a reread I am
The worst at following readalongs but hope do so for this one
Hello fellow bookworms! Randal from Iowa in the U.S.A. here. I recently discovered the podcast and was excited to hear about this readalong. I've only read Nazi Literature in the Americas, but I kinda knew I'd be a fan of Bolaño's writing from when I read the first several pages of 2666 a few years ago when I ordered a copy of his masterpiece. I knew, though, I'd want to read The Savage Detectives first, so this readlong is perfect. Thanks to Trevor and Paul for hosting this. I'm looking forward to what everyone has to say about it.
I created a calendar if anyone likes having this sort of thing to keep them organized and on track.
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=NTg4M2VkMGRjZDhiYjI2YTA1NTljMjcyMmQ3NDBmNzQ2YTA4MzU4NDZmZTFiN2U5YzQ1MDAxYjE5Y2MyNTNkYUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t
hi all, I'm Eli from Melbourne. came across this on Twitter and really liked the idea. it'll give me the impetus to open one of the imposing Bolaño volumes on my bookshelf, and bounce what I have no doubt will be fervent, mad ideas off of one another. thanks!
Hello all! I was going to read this later in the year after reading several other books, but this readalong was timed perfectly to move up in the queue for me! I'm reading in English. It'll be my first work by Bolaño - I know a lot of people and articles recommend starting with 2666 but I wanted to start here instead, something smaller and earlier in his career (plus, I typically don't start with an author's "best work" or magnum opus as a rule). Really looking forward to this!
Hello all, I am loving the enthusiasm and happy to see so many Bolano experienced rereaders. I on the other hand am almost a Bolano virgin having only read one novel and some shorter pieces, so I feel I will gain much from this. I also am happy to see familiar names from blogs and other various literary stops I have made and happy to share the space with you. I will be reading the Wimmer translation. BTW, am new to substack, terribly awkward with social media so pardon my shyness till I get more comfortable with the platform
As for bolano I've read most of his books have nine under review on the blog had read this and 2666 but hadn't reviewed the ms u wanted to leave them to last on the blog
About the reading schedule - are they just by page or are there some chapter titles or other guides we could use to match up different editions of the book with different page numbers? Mine's only 609pp long (tiny font, so annoying, it's what the library had...)
Hi, all! Learned about this read along through a GR group. I have read two of Bolaño's shorter works (A Little Lumpen Novelita & The Skating Rink) & was not wowed. <ducking> The Savage Detectives seems like a book that readers need to read, so I'm joining in so that I can learn more & hopefully join in the Bolaño love. (Btw -- Hi, Sam! Hi, Erin! Erin, I love the suggestion of a Hopscotch read along at some point. I've read it but would read again for a group discussion.) Thanks for putting this together & I look forward to participating. Thanks!
Becky from Indiana. This is my first Bolano.