Book · 2004 · National Book Critics Circle Award Winner
2666
Why people recommend it
2666 by Roberto Bolaño is a massive, sprawling, and complex novel that explores themes of violence, literature, and globalization, centered largely around a series of unsolved murders in a fictional Mexican border town. Legendary musician and writer Patti Smith appeared as a guest on The Ezra Klein Show for an episode released on November 18, 2025, dedicated to exploring enduring desires and artistic creation, where she shared her profound admiration for the Chilean author's magnum opus. Smith told the audience that she urged people to read the novel because she firmly regards it as the first true masterpiece of the twenty-first century. Her enthusiastic endorsement highlighted the emotional and intellectual scale of Bolaño's writing, which weaves together disparate narratives, historical tragedies, and philosophical inquiries into a cohesive and haunting literary experience. By designating the massive work as a defining artistic achievement of our current era, Smith reinforced its reputation among critics and readers alike as an essential, monumental achievement in modern world literature that continues to challenge and captivate audiences with its unflinching exploration of human darkness and artistic perseverance.
Who recommended it
- Patti Smith Recommended
Patti Smith — 1 mention
“read um 2666 because I think it was our first 21st century masterpiece by Roberto Bologano.”