By: Jonah Lazar, Staff Writer
Latin American Heritage Month is a fitting time to revisit and remember the political struggle, authoritarianism, and foreign intervention that gripped most of Latin America during the 20th century. The following books offer entry points into that turbulent century, each grounded in a different country’s political journey. However, even controversial books should be read before we criticize. Salman Rushdie was criticized by the Islamic community for the satirical depiction of religious themes in a later book, but I believe the recommended book still deserves a read for his exploration of Nicaragua during a turbulent time. Similarly, Che Guevara was complicit in violent acts and hateful views, but his book offers insight into Bolivian politics.
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende is one of South America’s most acclaimed authors, and The House of the Spirits is arguably the finest among her 30+ novels. The House of the Spirits uses magical realism to weave the story of the Trueba family, in an unnamed Latin American country seemingly based off of Chile — the country where Allende’s cousin, Salvador Allende, briefly ruled (and was shortly deposed by the military dictator, Pinochet). This novel follows the family through decades of political turmoil, socialist revolution, and brutal regime change. This political uncertainty is also reflected in the family, where the conservative grandfather, Esteban, continually finds himself at odds with his left-wing family. The poignant observations of political turmoil manifesting both within the family and the country — written by someone whose family had similar experiences — make this a must-read.
The Jaguar Smile by Salman Rushdie
The Jaguar Smile follows British Indian author Salman Rushdie as he visits Nicaragua in 1986, during the Sandinista Revolution, where a cohort of poets-turned-militants overthrew the tyrannical dictatorship of the Somoza dynasty. Rushdie closely follows the ranks of the Sandinista leadership as they navigate the rebirth of their nation, potential war with the USA, and allyship with the USSR. This book is particularly interesting as it follows the early days of current dictator Daniel Ortega’s reign, as a young, progressive, well-liked figure — in stark contrast to his current authoritarian grip on the nation.
Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa
Mario Vargas Llosa’s masterpiece Conversation in the Cathedral forms a brilliant narrative around a conversation between disillusioned journalist Santiago Zavala and his once-wealthy family’s former chauffeur in a chance encounter at a decrepit bar called “La Catedral” (the Cathedral). The two men recount their respective tales, detailing the political tribulations and reconstructions of their personal experience to provide an astute and gripping account of Manuel Odría’s dictatorship in Peru during the 1950s. This book truly makes you feel the way that the rot of authoritarianism seeps into every aspect of a nation plagued by it.
The Bolivian Diary by Che Guevara
Guevara became one of the most recognized figures in Latin America during the 20th century for the role he played in the Cuban Revolution, however after this success, he also unsuccessfully led two other revolutions: in the Congo, and in Bolivia. The Bolivian Diary is written by Guevara as he attempts to build a militant force deep in the jungles of Bolivia, recounting in detail his worries, aspirations, and every move his group made, leading up to his demise at the hands of the Bolivian military and the CIA. Guevara’s meticulous detail of his efforts outlined in this diary truly makes it a one of a kind read as the reader can parse through the intimate recounts of this figure.
