“Money to Burn” by Ricardo Piglia

Welcome to my eighth blog! This week’s reading of “Money to Burn” presented a mixed experience for me. While I found the narrative to be intriguing in certain aspects, particularly the detailed characterizations and the exploration of the complexities of human behavior, I struggled with elements of the story that suddenly changed into a disturbing territory. The graphic descriptions of sexual acts and violence, especially concerning the young girl Blanca and the unsettling behavior of characters like the Blond Gaucho, left me feeling uncomfortable and repulsed.

However, there were two aspects of the novel that stood out to me. The first one was the moment of unexpected insight and reflection throughout the novel. For instance, the observation that "Every citizen of the capital in a mask, to avert contact and avoid contagion" (page 8) resonated with me, drawing parallels to our contemporary experiences with events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Such references added depth to the narrative and encouraged me to consider broader societal implications.

The second one was the profound commentary on the significance of money in society. The portrayal of money as a tangible yet powerfully symbolic entity, as exemplified by the quote “Money is just the same as drugs: what’s fundamental is its possession, knowing it’s there, touching it, checking it’s still in the cupboard,” (30). The quote highlighted the intricate relationship between individuals and their pursuit of wealth. The act of burning the money towards the end of the novel served as a vexing statement on the morality and motives behind human actions, challenging traditional notions of value and morality.

Furthermore, the book showed me that sometimes people do things that aren't considered right by society. It made me realize that what's considered good or bad can change depending on things like how much money or power someone has. The characters in the story struggle with making decisions, which got me thinking about what it truly means to be human and how challenging it can be to make choices in a world where everyone wants things and needs money. Despite finding some parts of the book difficult to read because they made me feel uneasy, I still believed it was important to really think about its message.

In conclusion, while "Money to Burn" presented its challenges, it also offered a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, societal norms, and the pursuit of wealth. Through its detailed characterizations, profound commentary, and rich symbolism, the novel left a lasting impression on me, prompting me to reflect on its themes long after I had turned the final page.

My question for this week is “if you find this novel disturbing, how did you deal with your discomfort with the graphic images of violence and crime in ‘Money to burn' with comments on important social themes and human condition?”