BOOK BRIEF

El reino de Este Mundo

Alejo Carpentier
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El reino de Este Mundo

Fiction | Novel | Adult

Book Brief

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Alejo Carpentier

El reino de Este Mundo

Fiction | Novel | Adult
Book Details
Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Haiti • 18th Century

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

El reino de este mundo by Alejo Carpentier explores Haiti's turbulent history through a magical realism lens, illustrating the impact of colonialism and revolution. Set during the Haitian Revolution, the narrative follows Ti Noël, a person enduring change and upheaval while experiencing the intersection of different cultures and beliefs. Carpentier delves into themes of power, freedom, and resilience.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Contemplative

Dark

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

440 ratings

84%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Alejo Carpentier's El reino de Este Mundo is celebrated for its rich, poetic prose and the pioneering use of magical realism. Critics praise the novel's intricate depiction of Haiti's history and culture, though some readers find its dense narrative challenging. Overall, it offers a profound exploration of the interplay between reality and the supernatural.

Who should read this

Who Should Read El reino de Este Mundo?

A reader who appreciates El reino de este mundo by Alejo Carpentier is drawn to magical realism and historical narratives. They likely enjoy works such as Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, focusing on the blend of myth and history. This reader values rich, symbolic storytelling set in culturally vivid landscapes.

4.2

440 ratings

84%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

El reino de Este Mundo is renowned for its use of "lo real maravilloso" or "the marvelous real," a concept Alejo Carpentier coined to describe the blending of magical and realistic elements inspired by Latin American culture and history.

The book's exploration of history and myth was heavily influenced by Carpentier's experiences and observations in Haiti, which he visited in 1943 and where he encountered the rich tapestry of Vodou traditions and the history of the Haitian Revolution.

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El reino de Este Mundo is considered a seminal work in Latin American literature and played a significant role in the development of the magical realism genre, influencing prominent authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende.

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Book Details
Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Haiti • 18th Century

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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