Welcome to my third blog! This week I read the novel named "Mad Toy", written by Argentine writer Roberto Arlt. The story follows the life of Silvio Astier, a young man growing up in the urban environment of Buenos Aires at the beginning of the 20th century. Silvio faces the challenges of poverty and city life, and the novel expresses his experiences in relationships, and struggles. Arlt's work is known for its gritty realism and innovative use of language, vividly depicting the social and psychological complexities of the time. The novel is considered a major contribution to Argentine literature, reflecting the author's observations and insights into the urban working class.
After reading this novel, I realized that its narrative attracted me. Silvio's life was intrinsically intertwined with the literary realm, with friendships forged on the basis of the exchange of books, a theme that resonated with me because I had experienced similar connections. In Silvio's world, the importance of books and the price of history resonate with the poignant line "It costs money to look after him, kid."
It is surprising about Alter's ability to create characters without vivid physical descriptions, but each with a unique and critical role in the unfolding narrative. This approach adds depth to the story, allowing the characters' personalities and interactions to shape the reader's experience.
In the story, Silvio's unexpected betrayal of Longo, his first true friend since the age of 14, definitely shocked me, but the complexity of Silvio's turbulent life makes his behavior understandable. The episodic structure of the book creates a sense of time passing, but it is worth noting that when the story ends, Silvio is still only 17 years old. The story of Silvio's first adult disillusionment provides a Heart-warming background, from Don Gaetano's exploitative working conditions, to Souza's broken promise, to his dismissal from the army due to his high intelligence, Silvio's betrayal may have been a learned reaction to repeated adult disappointments in his youth.
Thank you so much for reading this blog!
The discussion question for this week is “how does Silvio's relationship with literature and his friendships based on book exchanges shape his character and influence the unfolding of the story in 'Mad Toy'?"
Comments
Meanwhile, I'm not quite sure I understand this sentence: ' the importance of books and the price of history resonate with the poignant line "It costs money to look after him, kid."' For one thing, I can't find that line in the book itself. Where does it come from?