Task #4: Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author

[Maddy]

I'm going to read My Fathers' Ghost Is Climbing in the Rain for this challenge - I was looking for contemporary South American authors, and this seems to fit the bill!

[Tina]

Stina wrote: "Looks like Signal to Noise counts for debut novel and fantasy novel as well."

I have had on my shelf for three years. I kept bumping it due to other rads'challenges. Finally, 2017 is the year!

[Elizabeth]

I read The Secret History of Costaguana by Juan Gabriel Vásquez last month and it was wonderful. Not only a great and well-written story but also an interesting literary tie-in to Joseph Conrad and some fascinating history about the Panama Canal. Definitely suggest this one for anyone looking.

[Stephanie]

I read Perla and it was absolutely incredible.

[Pia Zelda]

Catherine wrote: "Teresa wrote: "It was challenging finding books that meet both criteria, that look enjoyable, that I haven't read. Which is a huge part of the fun for me. I'm considering [book:The Feast of the Goa..."


So the Dominican Republic isn't in Central America? Sorry, European here ;) I was wondering if I could get away with The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao for this one, but I guess that's not going to work.

[Laura]

If anyone is interested in a rec for this task, I am thinking of re-reading Captains of the Sands, a book by a Brazilian writer and set in Brazil.

[Rainey]

Betty Boo

Thursday Night Widows

And

Blood-Drenched Beard

Would fit for this category. The first 2 are by and take place in Argentina.

The second is by and takes place in Brazil.

[Karlee]

On the Bookriot article today there was a reference to Little Indiscretions by Carmen Posadas for this category, however it looks like it is "set in Spain with references to Argentina". Does anyone know if this book counts as it is in the Book Riot article?

[Rayne]

Pia Zelda wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Teresa wrote: "It was challenging finding books that meet both criteria, that look enjoyable, that I haven't read. Which is a huge part of the fun for me. I'm considering [book:Th..."

The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean. It shares an island with Haiti.

[Martin]

Anna wrote: "Lots of great options are already mentioned here, but if anyone is looking for a more recent book (published in 2016): Perfect Days.

It's a thriller, set in Brazil. (I nearly star..."

I'm sold. I find I keep gravitating toward non-fiction for this challenge, so this is great to push me toward something more...um, page-turning.

[Kirsten]

It's been quite a few years since I read it, but Cellophane by Marie Arana is exceptional.

[Pia Zelda]

Brooklyn wrote: The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean. It shares an island with Haiti

Thanks! So it belongs to North America, not Central America as I thought. I'll look at the suggestions in this thread then :)

[Sam]

Stina wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Just to clarify-does this have to be both located in Central/South America and written by a Central or South American author? There's an Isabel Allende novel on my TBR, but it's actu..."

The Book Riot website has an "or" between the two criteria so it is just one or the other.

[Katie]

Margaret wrote: "I'm going with Allende's The House of the Spirits. I can't believe I've never read her. And although I think the argument that MX is not in CA is specious, I'll play along."

I haven't read Allende either! So I will read this book as well. :) Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

[Laura]

Sam wrote: "Stina wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Just to clarify-does this have to be both located in Central/South America and written by a Central or South American author? There's an Isabel Allende novel on my TBR,..."

I'm afraid you're mistaken, it is intended to be both, as seen here :

http://bookriot.com/2017/01/05/read-h...
http://bookriot.com/2016/12/15/book-r...

[Kate]

About to dive into GG Marquez' 'One Hundred Years of Solitude.' It's going to be a 'big read' I suspect.

[Julia]

This is a good opportunity for me to read The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

[Traci]

I am also reading an Isabel Allende book, Maya's Notebook. So far so good.

[Kate]

I have never seen Mexico grouped with North American countries before - always Central. That's odd. I'm going with Mexico anyway, I think.

[Kate]

Pia Zelda wrote: "Brooklyn wrote: The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean. It shares an island with Haiti

Thanks! So it belongs to North America, not Central America as I thought. I'll look at the suggestions i..."

I have also never seen the DR grouped in with North America until this thread. I have always seen it considered as part of Central.

[Henriette]

My sister has been wanting me to read José Mauro de Vasconcelos for ages, but I don't read spanish or portuguese well enough to read a novel. Now I've discovered that "Me peu de laranja-lima" acutally is translated into danish. So, I will be reading: Mi planta de naranja-lima

[Bonnie G.]

Kate wrote: "Pia Zelda wrote: "Brooklyn wrote: The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean. It shares an island with Haiti

Thanks! So it belongs to North America, not Central America as I thought. I'll look at..."

The DR is absolutely part of Central America. North America is a continent, Central America is a region so a countryan be part of both, and the DR is in fact part of NA and CA. There are some who consider Mexico part of Central America. I am not one, but I don't make the rules. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic...

[Penny]

This is a tricky one, I'm Dominican and it is refer as Central America and the Caribbean, if you want to be really strict it could be separate but when you use the 3 Americas we are in it with Central america.

[Kate]

Bonnie wrote: "Kate wrote: "Pia Zelda wrote: "Brooklyn wrote: The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean. It shares an island with Haiti

Thanks! So it belongs to North America, not Central America as I thought...."

Perhaps this is where we are all getting mired:

"Where the Americas are viewed as a single continent (America), it is divided into two subcontinents (North America and South America) or three (with Central America being the third)."

[Bonnie G.]

Kate wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Kate wrote: "Pia Zelda wrote: "Brooklyn wrote: The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean. It shares an island with Haiti

Thanks! So it belongs to North America, not Central Americ..."

Seems like this is the hitch, the fact that there is no "either or. " I have never head anyone call Central America a continent, only a region, but I guess others have has other experiences.

[Rachel]

I just finished Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez for this one. My apologies to his fans, but this was my first of his books and will be my last. I feel dirty and disgusted by the story, although there is no denying he is an incredibly talented writer.

[Elyse]

Is the Dominican Republic considered to be in Central or South America?

[Rainey]

According to Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...

"Central America" may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:

The United Nations geoscheme for the Americas defines the region as all states of mainland North America south of the United States and specifically includes all of Mexico.[4]

In Ibero-America (Latin America and Iberia), America (or the Americas) is considered a single continent, and Central America is considered a subcontinent separate from North America comprising the seven countries south of Mexico and north of Colombia.[5] - Ibero-America includes all Spanish-speaking countries in North, Central, and South America, plus the Portuguese-speaking country of Brazil. Which would include Dominican Republic.

In Brazil, Central America comprises all countries between Mexico and Colombia, including those in the Caribbean.

Mexico, in whole or in part, is sometimes included by British people.[6][7][8][not in citation given]

According to one source, the term "Central America" was used as a synonym for "Middle America" as recently as 1962.[9]

For the people living in the 5 countries formerly part of the Federal Republic of Central America there is a distinction between the Spanish language terms "América Central" and "Centroamérica". While both can be translated into English as "Central America", "América Central" is generally used to refer to the geographical area of the 7 countries between Mexico and Colombia, while "Centroamérica" is used when referring to the former members of the Federation emphasizing the shared culture and history of the region.

[[deleted user]]

Jaleenajo wrote: "Ramona wrote: "Britt wrote: "One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez"

That's my idea for this one too!"

Absolutely loved that book! It's definitely worth it.

I'm thinking about r..."

Just finished it. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[[deleted user]]

Just finished Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits.

My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kate]

Rainey wrote: "According to Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...

"Central America" may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:

The United Nations geoscheme fo..."

Thank you! Seems like since these are our reading lists and definitions differ, we can go with what definition works for us/we were taught (although this discussion has certainly taught me something new).

[Jen]

Anna wrote: "Lots of great options are already mentioned here, but if anyone is looking for a more recent book (published in 2016): Perfect Days.

It's a thriller, set in Brazil. (I nearly star..."

I originally misread this challenge and thought there was an "or" in it, so started The Alchemist for it - then realised that it's not set in South America, so won't count. Think I'll try this one instead. The Goodreads blurb says it's an "English language debut" but my library has it listed as a translation? It looks like a translation (which is fine), can anyone confirm?

[Courtney]

My suggestions would be I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala and The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War (both NF) and one of my favorites, The Inhabited Woman. Although the country in The Inhabited Woman is fictional, it is most definitely based in Latin America.

Oh, and Even Silence Has an End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian Jungle for South America NF.

[Leslie]

Kate wrote: "Rainey wrote: "According to Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...

"Central America" may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:

The United Natio..."

It is an interesting discussion! My husband is Dominican (I lived in Santo Domingo for 2 years and we go frequently) and I asked him this question. He said he would not count Oscar Wao any of the Junot Diaz books as fitting this challenge. (I happen to agree!) He said that he identifies with the Caribbean more than Central or South America in terms of geopolitical and certain cultural themes.

[Elyse]

Leslie wrote: "Kate wrote: "Rainey wrote: "According to Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...

"Central America" may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:

The..."

Thank you! I will pick a different book for this task, as Oscar Wao fits other tasks. :)

[Suzanne]

I plan to read The Inhabited Woman, a novel by a Nicaraguan poet, set in an unnamed Central American country. Revolution, love, and magical realism... sounds interesting!

[Teresa]

Suzanne, I just added that book to my TBR list. Thanks for the rec.

[Red Hen]

*recommendation from a publisher about one of their books*

Obviously, we're biased, as we're publishing this collection, but we love this list and wanted to get in on the suggestions. Beasts Behave In Foreign Land is Ruth Irupé Sanabria's second collection of poetry. Drawing on her personal experience during Argentina's military dictatorship (1976 to 1983), these poems emerge from the defining moment in which she had the opportunity to testify in the trials against the Fifth Army Corps in Bahia Blanca, thirty-seven years after soldiers kidnapped, tortured, and imprisoned her parents. Weaving metaphor, ekphrasis, and voice, Sanabria's poems pay tribute to the ways women in her family use art, music, and testimony to process the unspeakable and confront profound loss.

[Book Riot]

Some more suggestions for this category: http://bookriot.com/2017/01/05/read-h...

[Amber]

Starting Love in the Time of Cholera today! Been on my bookshelf for ages.

[Sherrita]

Karen wrote: "Stina wrote: "Looks like Signal to Noise counts for debut novel and fantasy novel as well."
I LOVE Signal to Noise and think everybody should read it, but it's set in Mexico City, w..."

So I purchased Signal to Noise before I research it. I don't think it works. It's set in New Mexico and the Author is from Mexico. I still going to read it for this task as it is "close enough" and illl double back to this task.

[Kirsten]

Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez are two authors you can use for this one.

I can also highly recommend Bel Canto

If you like non-fiction, there is The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon and The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Also, speaking of River of Doubt, Louis Bayard wrote a fictionalization of the same story Roosevelt's Beast

Or you can read a classic The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle

Just a few thoughts I found while googling.

[Bonnie G.]

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez are two authors you can use for this one.

I can also highly recommend Bel Canto

If you like non-fiction, there i..."

I don't think any of those is by a Central or South American author

[Melissa]

Kate wrote: "I have never seen Mexico grouped with North American countries before - always Central. That's odd. I'm going with Mexico anyway, I think."

Canada, US, Mexico are, indeed, all on the North American Continent.

[Elyse]

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez are two authors you can use for this one.

I can also highly recommend Bel Canto

If you like non-fiction, there i..."

I misunderstood it as well. I thought it was set in Central or South America OR by an author from Central or South American but it's -both-. Set there AND by author from there.

[Kate]

Melissa wrote: "Kate wrote: "I have never seen Mexico grouped with North American countries before - always Central. That's odd. I'm going with Mexico anyway, I think."

Canada, US, Mexico are, indeed, all on the ..."

There was a conversation earlier - many of us (depending on where we're from) consider Mexico to be Central America, so it depends on how you define this whether some of these count.

[Bonnie G.]

Kate wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Kate wrote: "I have never seen Mexico grouped with North American countries before - always Central. That's odd. I'm going with Mexico anyway, I think."

Canada, US, Mexico are, ind..."

North America is continent, Central America is a region. Mexico is both North American and Central American. It is like Egypt being both in African and the Middle East.

[Kate]

Sure, so depending on whether you're going continent or region, Mexico may or may not count.

[Carol]

So does "The Feast of the Goat" by Mario Vargas Llosa qualify? It is set in the Dominican Republic and the author is peruvian. I'm considering it all "latin america" whether it is caribbean or not. I've heard it is a good book to learn about dictator Rafael Trujillo. I had just finished House of Spirits by Isabel Allende which described the Pinochet regime.

[Kate]

Carol wrote: "So does "The Feast of the Goat" by Mario Vargas Llosa qualify? It is set in the Dominican Republic and the author is peruvian. I'm considering it all "latin america" whether it is caribbean or not...."

Penny, from the DR, wrote earlier: "This is a tricky one, I'm Dominican and it is refer as Central America and the Caribbean, if you want to be really strict it could be separate but when you use the 3 Americas we are in it with Central america."

Someone else in the DR responded that they would disagree. Then we have these links for reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...

It seems to be a bit of a tricky situation with the categorizing, so I'd look it over and go with what you decide honors the challenge!