Another haunting book. This one takes place during Argentina's Dirty War. Alicia Partnoy writes about her experience in the "Little School", an ironically-named concentration camp where she is kept for about three months. Each chapter is short but packs a punch. ( )

This short fictionalized novel tells the story of Alicia’s disappearance during the Dirty War in Argentina which was a period of
state terrorism against political rebels. The military and security forces lead guerrilla warfare against these progressive rebels’, and anyone believed to be associated with socialism. Our narrator recounts her experiences while being held at “The Little School”; a detention center controlled by the military regime. Through these short vignettes, we gain glimpses of the people she met
while being held captive, and the torture they experienced.

This is another assigned novel for my Human Rights literature class and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I love the narration style and it was heartbreaking to read the conditions the people lived in and the torture they went through. The novel explores the theme of vision and the overall five senses as it’s prisoners are physically and metaphorically blinded. Our narrator Alicia, is being able to peek under the blindfold, despite it dangerous consequences, she continues to document the truth of the atrocities and crimes that are being committed and can sometimes is able to prevent situations that happen throughout the novel. Through its fictionalization, the author is able to write the novel like a memoir, but also gives vivid, lyrical descriptions of each event.
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A major work that deserves to stand among the very best accounts of state terror and those who had the strength and luck to survive it. Imprisoned without charges, she spent almost a year blindfolded and bound, cut off from friends and family, including her child, until being inexplicably released. Partnoy's glimpses of her life in prison are understandably disjointed and meandering, but they stand as a record of character and fortitude.

I just loved it because of its immense human depth and high quality of writing. I absolutely loved this book! It's one of the most captivating novels I've ever read- it had me totally hooked! By the middle of the story I felt like I knew the characters personally, as the story was delivered so well with such intriguing detail. It's so beautifully written with such emotional and deep descriptions, making the characters spring to life in a way that I couldn't get enough of them. I just can’t image how Partnoy was able to endure all the pain and suffering she went thru being there.

I was looking for a new author to read. This book was recommended to me, and it certainly was a good recommendation. I have told all my friends about it and hope they enjoy it as much as I did.

Well written and riveting, you'll find this edgy story hard to put down. This book will become a classic text on the Argentine Dirty War. ( )