David Trueba is an intelligent, insightful writer. He brilliantly captures the lives of his characters, which include a sixteen year old girl, a twenty year old professional soccer player, a middle aged man, and his elderly father. His ability to portray the actions and
…more innermost thoughts of such a diverse group of individuals in such detail and so honestly is remarkable. (Sylvia is one of the most mature, self-aware sixteen year olds I’ve encountered in fiction, but nonetheless is authentic and believable.) As much as I enjoyed reading Learning to Lose while I was reading, it wasn’t a book I was eager to pick up once I’d put it down. I found it a little short on action, and at nearly 600 pages, very long, too long. I am happy to have had the opportunity to read this Spanish writer I may not have otherwise encountered; I would recommend Learning to Lose to those who enjoy international literary fiction. (less)
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