We have been to Mexico twice, staying in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, both holidays we stayed All- Inclusive. While there we used the highly efficient public transport, to visit Chichen Itza, Xcaret, Xel-ha, Tulum, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and the pyramids at Coba. We have also been lucky enough to spend a holiday in Chile. We stayed in Santiago and Vina del Mar. We were privileged to visit all three of Pablo Neruda's homes, at Santiago, Valparaiso and Isla Negra. I would love to visit more of Central and South America, and visiting Frida Kahlo’s blue house in Mexico City, is definitely on my wish list.
These are my Top 10 Latin American Books:
I would love to know your opinion about this list and these books, along with any recommendations you have, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
1) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez is a magical realist masterpiece that weaves together the fantastical and the real. Spanning seven generations of the Buendía family, it tells the story of Macondo, a remote town they founded. Despite its isolation, Macondo experiences wars, disasters, and miraculous events, serving as a microcosm for Colombian life. Through the mysterious Aureliano Buendía, the town's secrets and its fated destiny are gradually revealed. Márquez's novel is a daring blend of political reality and magical invention, recognized as one of the most original works of the twentieth century.
2) Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez is a deeply romantic novel that explores the enduring complexities of love. Set in early 20th century Latin America, the story follows the lives of Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza, who fall in love but are separated by distance and life's challenges. Through love letters and telegraphs, they maintain hope, but when reunited, they realize they have become strangers. Fermina marries Dr. Juvenal Urbino, a doctor determined to combat cholera, while Florentino never forgets her and waits patiently. After years apart, they come together once more, but their love must now face new trials. Márquez's novel, rich with vivid depictions of Latin American culture, paints a timeless portrait of love, longing, and the human heart's resilience.
3) The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is a sweeping, multi-generational saga set in an unnamed South American country, blending magical realism with political and social upheaval. The story begins with Clara del Valle, a telepathic girl who can predict the future, and follows her through her marriage to Esteban Trueba, a stern and lonely man whose life is deeply marked by grief and passion. Their family, the Truebas, lives in the "big house on the corner," where they experience both fortune and tragedy, from spiritualist gatherings to political strife. As the 20th century progresses, the Truebas are drawn into the country's turbulent political landscape, where love, power, and conflict shape their destinies. Allende's novel masterfully intertwines personal and political narratives, offering a rich exploration of family, history, and resilience.
4) The Postman by Antonio Skármeta
The Postman by Antonio Skármeta is a vibrant and touching novel set in Chile during the years leading up to the Pinochet dictatorship. It follows the story of a young postman, Mario, whose life is transformed when he becomes the personal letter carrier for the famed poet Pablo Neruda. Through his connection with Neruda’s poetry, Mario falls in love and finds a voice for his own emotions, intertwining art with the simplicity of everyday life. Boisterously funny and deeply passionate, this classic novel has been translated into over twenty-five languages and inspired the Academy Award-winning film Il Postino, establishing Skármeta as a key figure in contemporary Latin American literature.
5) The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara
In The Motorcycle Diaries, a young Ernesto 'Che' Guevara embarks on a life-changing journey across Latin America with his friend Alberto Granado. Traveling on a 1939 Norton motorcycle, affectionately named La Poderosa ('the powerful one'), their adventure is filled with moments of youthful escapades—encounters with women, wine, and close escapes. However, beneath these tales of adventure lies a deeper journey of self-discovery. As Che witnesses the harsh realities of poverty and inequality, he begins to shape the revolutionary ideals that would later define him. This formative experience transforms the carefree traveler into the politicised figure who would become a global symbol of revolution and freedom. The film starring Gael García Bernal also offers an excellent insight into the young life of Che.
6) THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a timeless classic and inspiring fable about self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams. The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd from Andalucía, who embarks on a journey to find a hidden treasure he has dreamed of. Along the way, he encounters a series of mentors and challenges that guide him to listen to his heart and interpret the signs life presents. Through a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism, and folklore, Coelho's novel encourages readers to follow their personal legends, believing that the universe conspires to help those who pursue their true desires. This powerful story leaves you with a message of hope and transformation.
7) Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel is a magical and sensual tale of love, tradition, and family set in turn-of-the-century Mexico. The story centers on Tita, the youngest daughter of the De la Garza family, who, bound by Mexican custom, is forbidden to marry. Instead, she channels her intense emotions into cooking, creating dishes that have a magical effect on those who taste them. Tita's forbidden love for Pedro, who marries her sister, intensifies the tension as their feelings are expressed through the magical power of her food. Blending recipes, humor, and magical realism, this enchanting novel explores themes of longing, sacrifice, and the deep connections between love and nourishment.
8) Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa
Mario Vargas Llosa is a Peruvian writer and one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Known for his novels that explore political and social issues, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010.Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa is a witty and semi-autobiographical novel that explores love, creativity, and the absurdity of life. The story follows an 18-year-old aspiring writer, Marito, who falls in love with his eccentric Aunt Julia, a woman twice his age, while working at a radio station in 1950s Lima, Peru. At the same time, Marito befriends a wildly imaginative Bolivian scriptwriter named Pedro Camacho, whose increasingly chaotic radio dramas mirror the madness of Marito’s own romantic and professional life. Filled with humor and satire, the novel blends fiction and reality in a vibrant tale of youthful passion and literary ambition.
9) Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera
Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera tells the compelling story of one of the 20th century’s most extraordinary and iconic artists. Born near Mexico City, Frida Kahlo's life was marked by pain, beginning with a tragic accident at eighteen that left her crippled and unable to bear children. From this suffering, she found solace in painting, developing a unique artistic voice that would secure her legacy as one of the most enduring figures in modern art. Herrera’s biography delves not only into Kahlo’s artistic achievements but also into her passionate and tumultuous personal life—her marriage to famed muralist Diego Rivera, her love affairs, political activism, and deep connection to Mexican culture. Through this rich portrait, Herrera captures the complex spirit of a woman who turned her struggles into powerful, unforgettable art.
10) American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins is a gripping and emotional novel that follows Lydia Perez, a bookstore owner in Acapulco, and her eight-year-old son, Luca, as they flee for their lives after a cartel assassinates Lydia’s journalist husband. With the once-familiar city now controlled by violence and fear, Lydia and Luca must make the perilous journey north to the U.S. border. Along the way, they face countless dangers and encounter others fleeing their own horrors. Cummins’ novel explores themes of survival, trust, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, offering a heart-wrenching look at the human cost of the migrant experience. This book was serialised on BBC Radio 4.
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My Bio: Travel opens doors to art, museums, and galleries, where stories come alive. I love books, paintings, collectors, and auctions - the treasures connecting us to history, creativity, and culture. Enjoy regular posts on my facebook page.
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