In this episode of The Big Book Project, Lori Feathers unpacks one of the most haunting themes in Roberto Bolaño’s 2666: the slow erosion of humanity in the face of systemic violence. Through the lens of The Part About Archimboldi, we explore the chilling parallels between Nazi Germany and the fictional town of Santa Teresa—modeled after the real-life femicides of Ciudad Juárez.
Key Themes Discussed:
- The link between the Holocaust and the Santa Teresa murders
- How mass violence is enabled by societal complacency
- The role of media, government, and economic interests in silencing truth
- The banality of evil: Hannah Arendt’s philosophy in 2666
- Why societies turn a blind eye to suffering—and what that means for us today
Bolaño forces us to ask: How does systemic violence become an accepted part of life? What role do power structures play in normalizing brutality? And ultimately, how does a society lose its humanity?
📖 Join the Discussion:
- What moments in 2666 stood out to you?
- Do you see parallels between the book and modern-day issues?
- How can literature help us confront history’s darkest truths?
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media!
Links and Resources:
The Big Book Project on Substack
Roberto Bolaño’s 2666: Purchase the Book
Follow on Instagram
Watch on Youtube
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.