Job Discussion Forums

Luna Chica · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Trujillo, Peru

I still have a little bit of time before I leave for Peru. To get myself in the zone I would like to have a nice relaxing read about Peru specifically or South Amercia in General. The problem is I have read a few books and they have been absolute c**p. Any recommendations?

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

For Fiction, give a look see at anything by Mario Vargas Llosa. Even more magic realism can be found with Garcia Marquez, and his non fiction works are cant miss.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I'm reading Mario Vargas Llosa at the moment--"Travesuras de la nina mala". Not quite as moving as Gabriel Garcia Marquez (ok, not NEARLY as moving!), but still enjoyable. Another author that was recommended by some of my students is Alfredo Bryce Echenique.

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Aramas · Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:39 am Post subject:

From my "extensive research" (*ahem* wiki *ahem*), it seems that the ones to keep an eye out for are Ciro Alegr�a, Eduardo Gonzalez Via�a, Jos� Mar�a Arguedas, Clorinda Matto de Turner, Beto Ortiz, and of course, Mario Vargas Llosa.

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

I recommend that you seek out the older works of Vargas Llosa. Nothing he has written in the last 15 years measures up to his prior works, IMHO. He also has some interesting takes on the Trujillo of yesteryear. He reads a lot different that Garcia Marquez, and is more of an acquired taste for those not familiar with Latin Amer. lit.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Luna Chica · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Trujillo, Peru

Thanks for your responses. What about non-fiction?

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

The Peru Reader is a collection of articles, essays and speeches from throughout Peru's history - last updated in 2004 I think. It is a pretty good introduction to the country.

Eduardo Gallerno is a Marxist historian who gives a pretty savage review of life in Latin America since independence.

Travel writing - can't beat Morris Thompson, The Saddest Pleasure. It is his account of a journey through Brazil and his reflections on his life in Ecuador. Stunning stuff.

There's also Inca Kola by Matthew Paris, an amusing account of his trip through Peru. Lighter than Thompson.

All the fiction recommendations above are great reads. Ciro Alegria is a local boy and his book The Golden Serpent is a beautiful account of life in the more remote river communities east of Huamachuco.

Enjoy!