The writing is very good, and the dialogue convincing. Bolaño is good at his craft. In fact, I have read another of his works, A Little Lumpen Novelita, which I enjoyed very much, and I have his 2666 trilogy waiting in the wings.
However, while there are interesting people in The Third Reich, it was difficult to identify with any of them. I wondered if Bolaño was trying too hard for realism, like a journalism account. The main protagonist turns out to really be both boring and an asshole. Sometimes the plot, such as it is, drags along aimlessly. I think gaming, and gamers, are really only interesting to each other. The Nazi/victim angle to the two gamers is fascinating, and adds tension to the story, but sets us up for action that never occurs. I liked it, but it wasn't much of a page-turner.
However, while there are interesting people in The Third Reich, it was difficult to identify with any of them. I wondered if Bolaño was trying too hard for realism, like a journalism account. The main protagonist turns out to really be both boring and an asshole. Sometimes the plot, such as it is, drags along aimlessly. I think gaming, and gamers, are really only interesting to each other. The Nazi/victim angle to the two gamers is fascinating, and adds tension to the story, but sets us up for action that never occurs. I liked it, but it wasn't much of a page-turner.
