Advance Reading Copy Disclosure:
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I have read “Until Death Do us Part” by Ingrid Betancourt and I loved it. What drew my attention to this book the most was the cover and that I like the author and the book I already read by her. This does not affect my opinion of the content or the book in my review.
“She was already in the corridor with her suitcase in her hand when the telephone in her hotel room started ringing. Ulysses again. He’ll want me to get him something else. She hesitated for a moment, then retraced her steps. Ulysses could reach her on he cell phone. She opened the door, there her coat onto a chair, and sat down unsteadily on the edge of the bed to pick up the receiver. She already knew.”
When I met Ingrid Betancourt, shortly after she was rescued by Colombian security forces in 2008, I was speechless. Ingrid Betancourt (born 1961) is a Colombian anti-corrupiton activist, politician and former senator. She was kidnapped by the Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2002. I thought about all she had been through and how she simply stands in front of me now.
The kidnapping received coverage worldwide and this is the picture of her that most might remember from the news. I would like to review her latest novel, “The Blue Line”
The story takes place in Buenos Aires in 1970. Julia is the center of the novel. The book is about her struggle, disappointments and search for happiness. It is first described how Julia grows up and lives in Argentina as the “Dirty War” approaches. She met Theo and they fall in love. Then, Julia was tortured and imprisoned by military agents – as did Betancourt. There are just many similarities in this novel which makes it so interesting to read. Both have lived through criminal corrupt governments, and repression. You will find out that Julia is pregnant when she is arrested but the kidnappers don’t really care. She is tortured, starved and has to live in unsanitary conditions and is forced to undergo a C-section. I don’t want to give too much away from the story here so I leave it at that.
I think this is a great novel about fate, freedom, betrayal and love. One thing I did not really enjoy was when the special gift Julia inherited from her grandmother is described. Julia had these visions from the future and she must prevent horrible events. The grandmother told her she has to do it, otherwise she will lose this gift. It just seems to “magical realism” to me for some sort.
“Get too close and love suffocates. The other person’s presence becomes oppressive. So you learn to live without seeing each other, the way you stop noticing the pedestal table in the hallway.”
If you love a story on individual courage, and believe in the future of humanity, this is your book. While reading this book you will keep in mind that there is always faith and hope. You will also learn about Argentina’s history. This narrative is just very profound and beautiful. I did not know too much about South America and these parts of the world I have to admit so I learned a lot. I also had been reminded that when one door closes, another one opens. There are always new beginnings. Betancourt’s latest novel is just a great read. Well done! Pre-order your copy here.
Watch this amazing interview of Ingrid Betancourt’s survival after being kidnapped by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia)
Thank you for reading my blog.
