8legs: Farrar, straus and giroux

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Book Review: "Death of the Soccer God" - A Life Replayed at Gunpoint - The Arts Fuse

The Arts Fuse reviews Death of the Soccer God as a compact, multi-scene meditation on love, history and soccer.
The book uses a dual narrative voice that shifts between third and first person without signaling.
The reviewer notes the Spanish and French-influenced dialogue with occasional Creole, and no translations.
Léger’s writing is praised for humor, precision, and a Chandler-like eye for detail.
The review connects the novel to Haiti’s history and to the life of soccer hero Joe Gaetjens.
The reviewer highlights the book’s momentum as a page-turner despite its intellectual ambitions.
The review notes some odd employment of English words and a few dated details.
The essay questions whether Vodou is present in the narrative, noting its limited appearance.
The reviewer commends Léger for a distinctive Haitian voice that blends sarcasm with warmth.
The review sees the book as a blend of sport, history and romance with a strong sense of place.

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