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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Literary Intrigue in the Tropics Nov 10, 2009
By Marco Polo
I visited Panama several years ago, and found this historical fiction to be a riveting and realistic portrayal of political intrigue in this tropical country so far, yet so near to America, physically and historically. The novel was a very fast read -- every chapter ends in a near cliff-hanger like a Dan Brown novel (except it has a much more literary style) so you want to read more! It moves through different locales from section to section, following several characters with lives intertwined in different time periods in Panama's painful political history. In some ways it reminded me of the 2006 film "Babel" by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittu, where the lives of seemingly random people are interconnected. Gritty and colorful, the novel beautifully explores the grey area between reality and hope that often engulfs societies in political transition. A great literary read set in the exotic tropics.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Words of shadow, Words of light Sep 21, 2009
By Captain Amiel Renov
I read the novel more or less in one breath. It is a fascinating book, well written as far as I am concerned. I like the author's descriptive powers as well as the way he connects background occurrences to the characters' thoughts and feelings. There is a true feel to it all, and I was tremendously moved by it. Not ordinary at all, the story and writing. I liked very much the storyline as well as the pace and the portrayal of characters. The realism is such that the reader is convinced that all descriptions of places, as well as conveyance of emotions, are first hand (and first rate). Also, remind me never to travel to Panama, ever.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
More Shadow Than Light . . . Dec 27, 2009
By J. Alec Hutson
"Alec Hutson"
Glazer spins a tight story spanning several decades of Panama's turbulent history, centered upon the Eden-esque island of Coiba and the trials of idealistic young American expats living in Panama. I found the book fascinating from a purely historical standpoint - Panama seems to have a rich, unique history worth exploring, one I as an American was surprised to discover. The Americans in the book also seems largely ignorant of Panama's history and culture and the casual brutality that is possible - everyone from peasant farmers to the government's leaders seems capable of almost anything - and it comes as a shock to both the book's characters and the reader. The central mystery is well-developed, and it kept me turning the pages until the very end. Glazer's prose is in places jewel-perfect, and deserves a five-star rating for that alone.
An Electrifying Debut Novel Sep 10, 2010
By Peter Nestor
This fantastic book explores characters, themes, and a country that the American mainstream media has largely ignored. Glazer picked up the lacuna and filled it will an intriguing tale of mystery and passion, winding the lives of several seemingly disconnected characters around a fast moving plot during a tumultuous Panamanian decade. The compassion that he feels for his characters, both good and evil, truly drives the novel. Glazer's prose are completely intoxicating. Flip to any random page and you'll find electric sentences that jump off the page, put you in the heart of the action, and stay with you for days after reading them. The plot of the book unfolds non-linearly, but the roots are planted early and so it develops naturally. Glazer places his characters into situations that are some of the most harrowing and memorable that I've read. They allow him to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, the human longing for lustful passion and for deeper love, the intersection of youthful idealism with brutal reality, and the yearning to discover a kernel of truth in each.
I am very excited for Glazer's next release. If anything, I hope that he will unleash his prose even more. At times, they felt slightly restrained in this book and I felt like there were opportunities that he really wanted to let loose, but for some reason held back -- perhaps for the sake of plot development or to maintain the tight, crisp strucure of the book. I hope the governor comes off in the next book. If the thick plot and depth of the characters are anything like they are in Islands of Shadow, they will surely supply enough structure to support even more wildly magical prose.
Outstanding! Dec 19, 2009
By Shanghai Shuffle
The opening blew me away and I couldn't put the book down after that. Wow! I finished the novel in one day and found it to be exceptionally well written, intriguing, and a real eye opener, if it is anywhere near truthful in portraying Panama these few decades. I was impressed by the author's ability to move swiftly between characters, time periods, and extreme situations while connecting the reader emotionally. It's very much a cliff hanger and leaves me wanting to know a lot more about the characters and the country.
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