His Name Was Death - Rafael Bernal BOOK REVIEW

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  • čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
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Komentáře • 96

  • @BetterThanFoodBookReviews
    @BetterThanFoodBookReviews  Před 2 lety +11

    Big thanks to Ridge for sending me this wallet and supporting the channel! Here’s the site if you want to check them out! > ridge.com/BETTERTHANFOOD

  • @mohamedmustafa2618
    @mohamedmustafa2618 Před 2 lety +35

    Seeing your bookshelves fill up & evolve over time has been cool. You should do a video going through it. You seem to have some cool items on the shelves too (that skull, etc). It would be a cool video

  • @alvaroromanoff4267
    @alvaroromanoff4267 Před 2 lety +28

    Im Mexican
    I live in Mexico City
    I looked for this book and it has been out of print for several years. it cannot be achieved. only old versions. I hope to find it. Thanks to you I have met great authors like Clarise Lispector. machado de assis. Although most of what you comment I cannot understand it because of the command of the language in English. There are parts that I do understand and I have bought these books by these authors because of the feelings they caused you and the exciting way you describe them.

    • @thesgtpepersband
      @thesgtpepersband Před 4 měsíci

      Estimado, no sé si vayas a leer esta respuesta. Pero, ya hay copias disponibles en Amazon. Esta semana recibí la mía, costó 300 pesos si mal no recuerdo. Las envían directamente de la Editorial Jus. También estuve años al acecho de la oportunidad de conseguirlo y al fin lo conseguí.

    • @alvaroromanoff4267
      @alvaroromanoff4267 Před 4 měsíci

      @@thesgtpepersband jajajaja que loco
      Alguien de México también ve sus videos jajaja. Gracias bro. Yo lo conseguí de segunda mano. Ya lo leí y está muy bueno. De todos modos muchas gracias 😍

  • @CaptainJasa
    @CaptainJasa Před rokem +2

    You Tube as a medium holds up because of content such as these reviews because without this review this novel wouldn't find the large audience it rightfully deserves.

  • @anabelv.9490
    @anabelv.9490 Před 2 lety +9

    I am Mexican, I live in Mexico, I own this book and YES, it is awesome. Many consider it the first mexican sci-fi novel. I don't think of it as magical realism, to me it is more like existential sci-fi. The only other book by Rafael Bernal that I have read is El Complot Mongol, a super fun and well written noir novel that is very popular here. It even has a movie adaptation and a graphic novel version.
    Thank you for talking about this wonderful author and so many others that are also wonderful but not very well known. This is why I love your channel so much!

  • @oliveredensanchez
    @oliveredensanchez Před 2 lety +2

    El Complot Mongol is the most celebrated novel by Bernal. But I'm sure that very few people have read this book. I haven't. It must have been out of print for several decades (¿?) . Now, I'm dying to read this book, and to write about it.

  • @Gustavo815
    @Gustavo815 Před 2 lety +3

    Bought the book and read it these past 3 weeks, after watching your video. Got the Spanish version on Kindle.
    Very interesting book, thank you for the recommendation!

  • @FolhetoGrena
    @FolhetoGrena Před 2 lety +14

    It does sound like a book Netflix would adapt and butcher the plot "point" of the story.

  • @rjd53
    @rjd53 Před 2 lety +2

    I ordered that novel right away and just have finished reading it a couple of days ago. I'm afraid it could - Rafael not being aware of it himself - describe a realistic scenario of humans getting in contact with aliens from outer space - or maybe even with AI-robots they've constructed themselves. Single functionally specialized individual agents with a collective intelligence acting as a superindividual body - a fascinating idea. Humans intending friendly relations - and finally being trapped and enslaved, in the end even terribly tortured, also because the other side does understand what humans say but not what they are. The shocking ending, I also didn't foresee, actually is the result of such a mis- or non-understanding as well - and that even between humans ...

  • @createdbywatson
    @createdbywatson Před 2 lety +5

    Man, you are at the top of your game. I can't wait to read this one. As always, excellent work, Cliff.

  • @supportsocial2542
    @supportsocial2542 Před 2 lety +15

    You made me better with your book recommendations. Thank you.

  • @kanabhprates2103
    @kanabhprates2103 Před 2 lety +19

    Please, make a video about Cervantes's Dom Quixote, it's my favorite book ever! I love your channel!

  • @notatall2237
    @notatall2237 Před 2 lety +3

    "Meanwhile while you are alive" from the ad section got me haha.

  • @notatall2237
    @notatall2237 Před 2 lety +8

    From how you described it, the summary gives me a "Perfume: Story of a murderer" vibes.

  • @GreatKingEd
    @GreatKingEd Před 2 lety +6

    Pre-ordered this last night. It sounds utterly crazy and right up my alley

  • @mostagreeable
    @mostagreeable Před 2 lety +23

    Buying this immediately. Sounds like the perfect read.

  • @scott5343
    @scott5343 Před 2 lety +2

    I know what I want for Xmas! Your reviews are always entertaining, while sharing (generally) new or less known art.

  • @Mr.Charlie_Toldmeso
    @Mr.Charlie_Toldmeso Před rokem +1

    Another top recommendation. Always grateful for this channel.

  • @ItsTooLatetoApologize
    @ItsTooLatetoApologize Před 2 lety +4

    Wow. This book sounds amazing. Thank you for this review.

  • @Fiction_Beast
    @Fiction_Beast Před 2 lety +1

    This sounds a very intriguing novel. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I love all those novels you referenced.

  • @timkjazz
    @timkjazz Před 2 lety +3

    The Mongolian Conspiracy by Rafael Bernal is brilliant, Mexico City noir, the only Bernal I've read, will definitely go get this title today.

  • @jackseney7906
    @jackseney7906 Před 2 lety +2

    Good review 👍 The very beginning of the book gives a fair amount away, so people shouldn't be overly concerned about "spoilers." This is literature more than it is some thriller, though Bernal wrote those as well. As for Herzog, interesting as he is the only thing I've entirely liked by him is "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans." With Nicholas Cage, yes.

  • @bgp2k
    @bgp2k Před 2 lety +2

    Making my way through The Box Man by Kobo Abe and Ice by Anna Kavan. While Ice is just incredibly surreal, atmospheric and beautiful, The Box Man is just as weird and confusing lol. Very exhausting read tbh but one of the most interesting ones I had in a while.

  • @kabiansadi
    @kabiansadi Před 2 lety +2

    I'm learning spanish and this book looks like something I'll love to read in the original language to pratice

  • @adamjensen9195
    @adamjensen9195 Před 2 lety +4

    That Herzog impression though !

  • @Swannworks
    @Swannworks Před 2 lety +2

    “The Mongolian Conspiracy” was also written by Bernal. It’s quite a good book.

  • @mictecacihuat665
    @mictecacihuat665 Před 2 lety +1

    The character of the book sounds a lot like the real life Uruguayan writer Horacio Quiroga, who also went to live in the jungles of Uruguay and many of his short stories take place there.

  • @santidontsurf.mp4
    @santidontsurf.mp4 Před 2 lety +1

    That Werner Herzog impersonation is on point!

  • @antigaia1817
    @antigaia1817 Před 2 lety

    Clif ! Bro, given your apparent love for Latin American literature... I'm surprised Vargas Llosa hasn't been reviewed by you yet ? This has gotta be in the works lol.

  • @hilarychavez27
    @hilarychavez27 Před 2 lety

    Great to find a real review of this book - there is nothing out there! Thanks

  • @mandyysales3173
    @mandyysales3173 Před 2 lety +4

    Please YOU HAVE TO READ "CAPITÃES DA AREIA"- JORGE AMADO. 🇧🇷

  • @lowman621
    @lowman621 Před 2 lety +2

    Take no offense please but I just finished Nightmare Alley and although I haven't listened to your whole review if the book(due to possible spoilers) I got to say...what possibly you find scary about this book. I'll go back and listen to your review though. And I also looked into the Story of the Eye book it sounds awful. So I'm curious do you just like to pump up weird books to seem eccentric? I will listen to a few more reviews but I have to question your opinion a bit...

    • @lowman621
      @lowman621 Před 2 lety

      @@glibglob8755 I never said it was a problem, but I also can have an opinion too (maybe I even have better taste than him). I listened to his review now that I finished the book and appreciated his insight to Nightmare Alley (still not scary to me though). But thanks for coming to his defense. Do you have any opinion on either book or do you just like commenting on comments?

    • @lowman621
      @lowman621 Před 2 lety

      @@glibglob8755 actually I'm the coolest person you've ever had a conversation with...you just don't know it.

  • @SherdsTube
    @SherdsTube Před 2 lety

    Yup. Sign me up for this one! Great review, Cliff.

  • @emanueleboscofilms
    @emanueleboscofilms Před 2 lety +2

    Best book hook ever heard in a while!

  • @dellh86
    @dellh86 Před 6 měsíci

    This sounds so much like something I would love. Going to buy it based on this recommendation.

  • @eliotcaber9606
    @eliotcaber9606 Před 2 lety +2

    Sounds like a Metal Gear Solid plot, I love it

  • @christiansanaploianu911
    @christiansanaploianu911 Před 2 lety +1

    The long hair looks great 👍

  • @BlackHoleBrew42
    @BlackHoleBrew42 Před 2 lety

    Thanks dude, that was rad. Hope it gets the attention it deserves.

  • @gallifrey7249
    @gallifrey7249 Před 2 lety

    Bought this book because of this review and loved it!
    Subscribed! 🙌

  • @alwaysbrightandmerry
    @alwaysbrightandmerry Před 2 lety

    Cliff, just want to put 'Tears of the Trufflepig' by Fernando Flores on your radar. Its an amazing work, and worth anyones time to fall into such a well crafted world. If the wind catches you, grab it!

  • @svenw8781
    @svenw8781 Před 2 lety

    The protagonist as you describe him reminds me of Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now. Haven’t read the book but Joseph Conrad definitely comes up in my mind.

  • @kylestclair471
    @kylestclair471 Před 2 lety

    Thanks. Happy holidays

  • @destine1547
    @destine1547 Před 2 lety +2

    This book sounds amazing.

  • @maryamtshali5892
    @maryamtshali5892 Před 2 lety

    This book was SO GOOD! Thank you for the recommendation -- I wouldn't have come across it otherwise.

  • @1russodog
    @1russodog Před 2 lety

    Yet another recommendation to read. Ty Cliff. We have similar tastes so I will be biased. But this book does sound very interesting. Can’t wait.

  • @allcapsbeats
    @allcapsbeats Před 2 lety +1

    I've not read the book. I intend to. It sounds like something A24 would take on which I hope they do.

  • @gabrielyeow1127
    @gabrielyeow1127 Před 2 lety +2

    If it's not too much to ask , could you do I am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki

  • @Hermopathic
    @Hermopathic Před 2 lety +2

    This book put Cliff in a great mood, that was the greatest Ridge product advert in the history of Better Than Food #jaguars #misanthropy

  • @TK-kf8zc
    @TK-kf8zc Před 2 lety

    I love 'foreign' sci -fi! The Rosewater Trilogy by Nigerian living in UK Tade Thompson. 😍

  • @ericdraven3654
    @ericdraven3654 Před 2 lety

    WoW, I want to read It now. It reminds me of 'War with the newts', Have you read It? Regards from Spain😉

  • @gcn7491
    @gcn7491 Před 2 lety

    For the people who read this book, Please! Tell the finale, now, im sooo egor to see this!
    Edit: Sorry for my bad english, im Brazilian

  • @juliacazarre7418
    @juliacazarre7418 Před 2 lety +1

    You should read Mariana Enríquez!

    • @helios1191
      @helios1191 Před 2 lety

      La tengo en mi lista de espera, probablemente empiece después de terminar el extranjero de Camus.

  • @lorena0080
    @lorena0080 Před 2 lety

    No conocía para nada a Rafael Bernal, le echaré un vistazo, gracias
    Saludos desde Chile 👍📚🇨🇱

  • @RubenDario-hr4iq
    @RubenDario-hr4iq Před 2 lety

    Terrific. I will definitely read Bernal.

  • @ronjames9936
    @ronjames9936 Před 2 lety

    Man, I really need to know the chords of that badass intro.

  • @its_saam9459
    @its_saam9459 Před 2 lety

    Is there an ebook for this anywhere? I live in Uk and can't get the paperback :(

  • @flcl1080
    @flcl1080 Před 2 měsíci

    What's the coffee?

  • @Philliben1991
    @Philliben1991 Před 2 lety

    Best sales pitch for a pen ever. Haha.

  • @ellelala39
    @ellelala39 Před 2 lety

    Ha, ha! Thanks for the laughs and good survival advice, Cliff.

  • @cancansaran2772
    @cancansaran2772 Před 2 lety

    Become more conscious than a philosopher and a psychologist by reading the book "Sacrosanct Intelligence".

  • @goodmoaning20
    @goodmoaning20 Před 2 lety

    Great review, i am on the lookout for this book.
    I laughed so much at the pen joke. I am from Bulgaria but i have really great affinity for Latin America literature. If you are in a mood for a good dictator novel check "The president" by Miguel Asturias.

  • @claudiocruzat8777
    @claudiocruzat8777 Před 2 lety

    SPANISH IS NOT DIFFICULT AT ALL. el español no es difícil :spanish is not difficult.

  • @peterwillett2536
    @peterwillett2536 Před 2 lety

    Sold. Thanks

  • @ufomechanic11
    @ufomechanic11 Před 2 lety

    Sounds amazing

  • @blakebellamy82
    @blakebellamy82 Před 2 lety

    Review starts at 5:00. Hella ads.

  • @colonelweird
    @colonelweird Před 2 lety

    Okay okay! I ordered it!

  • @elijahjohnson601
    @elijahjohnson601 Před 2 lety

    Cool!

  • @freddieosborn3033
    @freddieosborn3033 Před 2 lety

    Great review. Have you considered reviewing any stuff from Hubert Selby Jr? Would be awesome to hear your take on stuff like Last Exit to Brooklyn, The Room etc

  • @dps3902
    @dps3902 Před 2 lety

    Sounds like a red pill. I'm gonna love it.

  • @rafaelteixeira9838
    @rafaelteixeira9838 Před 2 lety

    Please read Ideas to Postpone the End of the World by Ailton Krenak!!!

  • @susanburgess820
    @susanburgess820 Před 15 dny

    Sounds kind of like animal farm.

  • @victorpopa8724
    @victorpopa8724 Před 2 lety

    Cool, man. Cool.

  • @fyodordostoevsky4290
    @fyodordostoevsky4290 Před 2 lety

    Read The Sublimes by Yuri Mamleyev, it's not better than food, it's divine rotten ambrosia.

  • @davidadams6863
    @davidadams6863 Před 2 lety

  • @iqrakhan435
    @iqrakhan435 Před 2 lety +1

    Man you're like one of those 'hot guy reading books on subway' literal example of Beauty with brains.

  • @murrayr7703
    @murrayr7703 Před 2 lety +1

    How the hell can a man who read Borges and Pessoa and other greats can take this trite little horror story and preach that it's an amazing literary work. Yeah right, he mentions God so therefore it's a deep work of spiritual searching. Not, it's a nonsensical story of mosquitos murdering humans and taking over the world. OOOOOO scccaaaary. BOO! Come on Cliff. I mean while he's pushing this mediocre text humans are being murdered constantly...but...by other humans. Cliff you've turned me on to some great writers but this one is bust for me. And I see your next review has more of your marketing 101 titles like "The most intense book I've ever read." Translated as "Please buy this book and the fuhkakta wallet and send me money.' Overwrought to say the least. Your new name should be Hyperbole R Us.

    • @littledebby365
      @littledebby365 Před 2 lety

      What's wrong with little horror stories? Haven't you read any little scifi stories by Ray Bradbury? Dynamite comes in small packages.

    • @murrayr7703
      @murrayr7703 Před 2 lety

      @@littledebby365 Anyone can write anything they want it's when someone hypes the book completely out of proportion. And Bernal is no Bradbury maybe if you compared him to Steven King perhaps.

  • @endymionsrage
    @endymionsrage Před 2 lety +2

    I think for such a short book, you have given too much away in your review...

  • @michaelclark1811
    @michaelclark1811 Před 2 lety

    More like malarity ensues hehehe

  • @T4wsi5w47w7
    @T4wsi5w47w7 Před 2 lety

    Yet another Orwell garbage

    • @glibglob8755
      @glibglob8755 Před 2 lety

      You probably like Godfather more than Goodfellas.

  • @shukriyahussain1717
    @shukriyahussain1717 Před 2 lety +1

    Hey first comment

  • @ericdraven3654
    @ericdraven3654 Před 2 lety

    WoW, I want to read It now. It reminds me of 'War with the newts', Have you read It? Regards from Spain😉