El Huracan Lleva tu nombre

Rating:
Summary: Tumultuous hurricane of emotions.
Review: As controversial as his novels may be I think Jaime Bayly has written an exceptional story. El huracan lleva tu nombre depicts not only Jaime's unique style of prose but also confirms his ability to combine polemic themes with underlying sensitivity that is manifested by the characters in the novel. Jaime's principal theme differs slightly in comparison to his other works. Instead of the protagonist struggling only with his homosexuality in this novel Gabriel struggles with his bisexuality. As the love story unfolds between the three main characters Gabriel-Sofia-Sebastian, the reader learns about the inner torment that Gabriel has to face because of society's intolerance to his sexual orientation. Gabriel is a typical Jaime Bayly protagonist who is tormented and struggles on a personal and social level better known as homophobic discrimination as described by the protagonist. Desperate to leave Lima but not happy in Miami the quest to find personal and professional gratitude becomes a battle while he dates a woman, Sofia and craves for a man, Sebastian and eventually many others. The time frame of the story is 1992 during the time of Hurricane Andrew in Miami.

Jaime Bayly also taps into the hypocrisy in Peruvian society as Gabriel's mom is a loyal member of Opus Dei and her concern is what others think about her son and the family's image- cucufateria. Don't do this, don't do that, what will others think etc. The fathers in this novel both Sofia's and Gabriel's are pathetic characters but also stereotypes as well. Sofia's father is divorced from her mother, left the family and Lima to live in isolation. He does not have a close relationship with Sofia or her sister and attempts to kill himself but is unsuccessful. Gabriel resents his father for his ill treatment towards him when he was young which Sofia believes is the reason for his inclination towards men because he was neglected by his father but insists that her "Gabriel" is not bisexual.

Their relationship is definitely a hurricane as they struggle to stay together against all odds and obstacles. However, due to Gabriel's inclinations and Sofia needs, the two eventually go their separate ways but not after going through life's most daring experience that of giving birth to a child in spite of their turbulent relationship. This novel definitely confirms that all kinds of love; heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual has its trials and tribulations. The constant struggle between Gabriel and Sofia makes this love-hate relationship a moving story and an easy identifiable. From the onset the reader grows with the characters as they constantly experience emotional turmoil. The hurricane is definitely the shaky relationship in itself and its name is Sofia (according to Gabriel) because of all the ups and downs he experiences is with her. Jaime Bayly has triumphed with this novel and it will stand strong in the face of all critique.

Rating:
Summary: Huracán de Redundancias
Review: Es la historia de Gabriel, quien no puede decidirse entre Sebastián, su amante masculino preocupado con el qué dirán, y Sofía, una mujer bella y de familia acaudalada, que llega a entenderlo.

La novela introduce a Gabriel, su narrador, como un presentador de un programa farandulero en la televisión en Lima, y quien no acaba de salir del clóset.

Gabriel sueña con escribir una gran novela digna de grandes casas editoriales y el escapar de Perú, se convierte en su obsesión.

Su incomodidad con los entornos geográficos y sociales es machacada una y otra vez por Jaime Bayly, al grado que convierte a El huracán lleva tu nombre en una retahíla de conflictos predecibles.

A Gabriel, la ciudad de Lima no le gusta y aprovecha un conflicto político para irse a Miami. Basta decir que Miami tampoco le gusta y añora a Lima. Da un viaje a Madrid y, sorpresa de sorpresas, también le molesta la capital española. Luego se estabiliza en el barrio Georgetown, de Washington, DC, donde su Sofía tiene un apartamento.

Gabriel es el criticón infatigable. Critica a los medios de comunicación, sin embargo los corteja, vive de ellos, los explota. Critica a la sociedad acomodada de algunos limeños, sin embargo se aprovecha de Sofía para impulsar sus sueños. En ocasiones demuestra intolerancia hacia personas de otros grupos inmigrantes en Estados Unidos, mientras que demanda tolerancia para su persona.

Este testimonial interminable va de la mano con la personalidad de Gabriel. Quiere probarse a sí mismo que no sólo está cómodo en la intimidad con un hombre, sino que también puede estarlo con una mujer, particularmente si es como Sofía, quien lo apoya emocional y económicamente.

Gabriel define su orientación desde el principio. Sin embargo, a un tercio de la lectura me llegué a preguntar si era necesario que Bayly sometiera al narrador a tanta redundancia.

Rating:
Summary: A beautifully portrayed struggle
Review: It is sad that in this day and age, someone still has to call himself bisexual (several billion times) to pretend that he is not just gay. A beautifully portrayed struggle with the Hispanic demons: machismo, religion, and family. I truly wish Mr. Bayly would figure out someday soon that it is ok just to be himself. The GLBT movement in Latin America desperately needs the same therapy he does.

Rating:
Summary: muy recomendable
Review: Mi hermana me envio de regalo este libro, pense ni leerlo de solo verlo por fuera no lleno mi interes, pero cuando lei la primera pagina me di cuenta que cada una de ellas se ponian mejor y la historia es divertida, good for you Jaime, te pasaste y te deceo mas exitos...

Rating:
Summary: More of the same from Bayly....
Review: Two years ago I wrote the following about "Eso fue ayer y no lo acuerdo." The criticism of that novel applies equally well to El Huracan Lleva tu Nombre, so I am repeating it:

"No estoy de acuerdo con el comentario anterior sobre esta novela, que no creo que la obra merezca tanto elogio. En tematica, en los personajes, y en desenlace la obra es casi igual a "No Se lo Digas a Nadie" y "Los Amigos que Perdi,". He llegado a la conclusion de que Bayly es un autor de poca vision. Ha encontrado una tematica que le sirve y escribe la misma novela repetivamente. Todavia no se ha cansado de escriber sobre burguesitos limenos que se torturan por la homosexualidad y la adiccion a la coca? Y cuantas veces tenemos que leer sobre el conflicto del protagonista adolescente con una madre religiosa y un padre machista y antipatico? La primera vez, hay una novela interestante. La tercera vez, ya no hay una novela; hay un producto sensacionalista y cinico que se aprovecha de la fascinacion publica para con los tabues contra homosexualismo y la cocaina.

Escribe bien Bayly? No se. El juico se hara cuando el por fin escribe una novela nueva en vez de publicar continuamente las mismas narraciones. "

In a nutshell, Bayly has a cynical formula that he recycles: young male conflicted over his homosexuality; mother is a religious fanatic, father is a hard-line, machista right-winger; conflicted male deals with substance abuse; conflicted male finds solace in arms of sensitive and understanding female; conflicted male needs at some point to escape to Miami, Madrid or some big U.S. city.

This all looks like therapy for Bayly. He is entitled to his therapy, but we should all stop calling this repetitive formula literature.