Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #294712 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-27
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
Gregorio and Manuel were best friends. They both had a tattoo of a night buffalo, which Gregorio insisted was done with the same needle, so their blood would mingle. Since Manuel started sleeping with Gregorio's girlfriend, the friendship had become increasingly difficult to live with. In the aftermath of Gregorio's suicide Manuel struggles to get his life back on track. Everyone seems to suspect him of knowing more than he lets on and everyone seems to be keeping their own secrets, including his girlfriend. Most disturbingly Gregorio appears to still be watching him, letters from him appear through the post, containing enigmatic messages, 'You won't be able to run from the night buffalo', they promise. Gregorio hadn't finished dying yet. From the acclaimed writer of "Amores Perros" and "21 Grams", this is the story of a passionate and destructive menage a trois and the tricks your mind can play on you.

Customer Reviews

Buffalo = Stampede = `Run away'???
When reading books, many readers try to associate themselves with a character. There's often an emotional connection where the reader can relate with the main protagonists - albeit sharing a same life experience, visited a particular place, or other similarities in their lives. Most readers would prefer characters to have mild-mannered, sweet or lovable traits in their personalities - so that they can be accepted and understood. Likewise, most people like a good old story that travels a journey of some kind. We're all rather partial to sentimentalities of `boy wins heart of girl' or `discovers their hidden desires and embarks on a new meaning of life etc etc' stories. We all love an uplifting tale that suits to our own circumstances. It's comfortable reading.

......however, this book is not and it seems to have the adverse effect in my eyes - I'm not sure if this is the deliberate intention by the writer. If so, he's a damn good writer. If its not, he's a truly awful writer. There is nothing gentle about this book. It's blunt, bland and has a sharp taste to it throughout. This book kicks sand in your face during a sunny afternoon. It's that type of `rough & tough', butch, masculinity book.

It should also be re-iterated that there are no chapters in this book, so it's one long portion of around 200 pages. As a result, you cannot tell your other half "I'll just finish this chapter' before going to sleep or doing a chore - they just might get very irritated with you!!

Only the writer's passion for its core subject, his seductive prose, and the book's rather rapid pace has rescued the book from the dark depths of complete vulgarity. It's been a challenge to read, grating against my personal preset comfort zones.

Therefore I'll be `impartial' and award this book with 3-stars. It depends which `food' you prefer. If you're after something offering a variety of ingredients, such as a roast dinner, this is not for you. If you are after something sweet and comforting like spotted dick and custard, again steer clear. However if you want something resembling a curry, that's a bit spicy yet tolerant enough for your stomach to cope with, leaving you rather flushed, this just might be the book for you.

Waste of a train journey
Boring, contrived and badly written, with characters I couldn't give a damn about. When will Sceptre hire a decent proof reader? At least 3 mistakes which shouldn't have got through. Gets one star for Gregorio, the only mildly interesting character and he is dead anyway. Don't waste your time.

Does not disappoint
I couldn't read this book quick enough. The pace is superb and I was desperate to get to the end to find out what was going on. There is no fancy writing here (and no chapters) but what there is is an edgy and gritty story that oozes realism.
This is the type of story that stays with you long after it's finished, and I just don't feel happy when it is missing from the bookshelf.
I would of liked to have had my suspicions confirmed for me at the end, and to have been able to sit down with Manuel (one of the three main characters) and discuss the complexities, instead I'm left forever wondering and always wanting more, but hey...that's the makings of a great book right?

Please note: I actually gave this book 4/5 stars. I don't know how it ended up with 5/5 !!