Genre
Drama
Setting and Context
Mexico: late 1975 and 1976 to 1996
Narrator and Point of View
Initially, the book is told from the point of view of Juan García Madero. There are 40 additional narrators throughout the rest of the book.
Tone and Mood
Mysterious, Thrilling, Energetic, Solemn, Violent, Sad, and Bohemian
Protagonist and Antagonist
The main protagonist of the book is Arturo Belano; there is no clear antagonist in the book.
Major Conflict
The conflict which the book devotes the most time to is Arturo Belano and Ulises Lima's struggle to find Cesárea Tinajero.
Climax
When the two men close in on the mysterious Tinajero.
Foreshadowing
Lima's imprisonment is foreshadowed early on in the book.
Understatement
The profound absurdity of Belano and Lima's quest is understated often in the book.
Allusions
To the history and geography of Latin America, popular culture (particularly literature), Bolaño's previous works, and religion (mainly Christianity).
Imagery
Bolaño uses intense imagery to underscore the intensity and scale of Belano and Lima's quest.
Paradox
Belano and Lima don't know for certain that Tinajero is even alive, yet they go on their journey anyway.
Parallelism
Belano and Lima's story/journey is paralleled quite often through the book.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Mexico itself is personified throughout the book.
