A common comment on the novel is the graphic nature of the many acts of torture and murder which are depicted in the novel . Vargas let the reader see the realities of an oppressive regime with a degree of detail not often used by his compatriots in Latin American literature , as Michael Wood suggest in the London Review of Books : " Vargas Llosa ... tell us far more about the details of day @-@ to @-@ day intrigue , and the sordid , sadistic minutiae of torture and murder . " Walter Kirn of the New York Times suggest that the " grisly scenes of dungeon interrogations and torture sessions " cast other aspects of the novel in a pale light , draining them of their significance and impact . Similarly , Kirn imply that the " narrative machinery " mentioned by Wood as being somewhat unwieldy also produce a largely superfluous storyline . The plot line centered on Urania Cabral is described by Sturrock as being an emotional centre that focus the novel , and Wood agree that her confrontations with past demons hold the readers attention . In contrast , Kirn 's review state that Urania 's segments are " talky and atmospheric ... [ and ] seem to be on loan from another sort of book . "