Multiple Choice

This is a novel that's truly indescribable, and certainly not at all describably as a "novel" in any conventional sense. I could say that it's highly experimental, highly original, highly ironic postmodern prose, which it is, but that could give the wrong impression, too, implying that it's any of those things for their own sake, the kind of superficial writing that exists to make writers and their readers feel clever. But it's also deeply political, deeply passionate, deeply moving, as well as deeply funny, and the best whatever it is I've read in a long time.

Completely different from anything I've ever read. In answering the question on the front cover...all of the above is accurate but I preferred to view it as one long poetic composition meditating upon language and linguistics, a criticism of Chile, and ethics/morality. I chose it as my book club pick and everyone finished it and we all had positive things to say (and we rarely see things the same). We had a lot to talk about and it was a great experience. I will say that many of the stories/questions border on cynical, jaded, and pessimistic.

I would say the first half is more like poetry. It's such an interesting book that really makes your think. I love it and really recomend everyone should read it. It's super short, and extremely insightful.

A remarkable writing effort which frees the reader from a traditional format while simultaneously inviting him into a world of strong character, voice, and point of view. Written in a student SAT test format, Zambra's text forces the reader to confront his own ideas about narrative and how a story must be told. The feeling must be similar to an artist finding a new color or a musician finding a completely new note! Wonderfully creative and freeing! Check it out; people will be talking about this book for years.

Short but certainly entertaining read. I found the format of the book to make it much more interesting, as it felt as a short story collection but at the same time it threw me back to my years in school were multiple choice tests were a regular thing. It is also interesting in the sense that the writing style is open to many different interpretations of the content, which will surely give its readers a different story depending on who, when and where they experience it.

I liked the structure, which bordered on cutesy but served a meta-purpose for the novel's substance. The short responses to the multiple choice questions reads like poetry at times.

Zambra did a wonderful job with this book. Everything about it was great. It was nothing like anything else I had read. Read it with an open mind...it's nothing like a traditional book or story. It's pretty short but it had me go through a range of emotions. Highly recommend reading it.

Very very disappointed and a huge waist of money I thought I was getting a book that you pick an answer then skip around NO! It’s a literal test! If I wanted something like this I would have bought a TCAP booklet! Wasn’t happy

(Auf Englisch gelesen.) In der Kürze liegt die Würze. Das in Form eines Mehrfach-Auswahl Tests geschriebene Buch zeigt die Gewissensfragen auf, die mit einer Beziehung (Heirat, Kinder, Scheidung) einhergehen. Es tut dies vor dem Hintergrund jüngster chilenischer Geschichte. Die "Verständnisfragen" zum Text bringen wohl die meisten Leser ins Grübeln. Auch die Frage nach dem Wert von Tests "nur zum Ankreuzeln" stellt sich. Ich habe spannende Lesezeit mit dem Buch verbracht.

Let yourself go, don't rely on what you already know about storytelling. Zambra is a genius and this book proves it. Surprising​, original and challenging but for strong readers comfortable with playful narrative paths.

The book was bent and out of shape

Innovative & quirky! Another brilliant book from a brilliant writer...