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Cover of Explosion in a Cathedral by Alejo Carpentier

Explosion in a Cathedral

Alejo Carpentier

  • 365 pages · about 6 hours
  • First published 1962
  • 55 editions
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1 About this book

Explosion in a Cathedral (Spanish title: El Siglo de las Luces, "The Age of Enlightenment" ) is a historical novel by Cuban writer and musicologist Alejo Carpentier. The book follows the story of three privileged Creole orphans from Havana, as they meet French adventurer Victor Hugues and get involved in the revolutionary turmoil that shook the Atlantic World at the end of the eighteenth century. Originally published in 1962, this is one of the most influential works written during the so-called "Latin American Boom".

Regarded as one of Latin America's greatest historical novels, Explosion in a Cathedral deals with the impact of the French Revolution on the Caribbean. The main characters are all members of one family: two siblings, Carlos and Sofia, and their cousin Esteban. The narrative deals with the cyclical nature of control, destruction, and development during revolution.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  • Caribbean area
  • Written Spanish

2 About Alejo Carpentier

1904–1980

Alejo Carpentier y Valmont (Spanish pronunciation:, French pronunciation:; December 26, 1904 – April 24, 1980) was a Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist who greatly influenced Latin American literature during its famous "boom" period. Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, of French and Russian parentage, Carpentier grew up in Havana, Cuba, and despite his European birthplace, he strongly identified as Cuban throughout his life.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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