Amalia (Library of Latin America) [Paperback]

Josďż1/2 Mďż1/2rmol (Author), Doris Sommer (Editor), Helen Lane (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Library of Latin America | Publication Date: December 20, 2001

Amalia is one of the most popular Latin American novels and, until recently, was required reading in Argentina's schools. It was written to protest the dictatorship of Juan Manuel de Rosas and to provide a picture of the political events during his regime, but the book's popularity stemmed from the love story that fuels the plot. Originally published in 1851 in serial form, Marmol's novel recounts the story of Eduardo and Amalia, who fall in love while he is hiding in her home. Amalia and her cousin Daniel protect him from Rosist persecution, but before the couple and the cousin can escape to safety, they are discovered by the death squad and the young men die.

Similar in style to the romantic novels of Walter Scott, Amalia provides a detailed picture of life under a dictatorship combined with lively dialogue, drama, and a tragic love story.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Originally published serially in 1851, Amalia is generally considered to be the Argentinean national novel and, until recently, was required reading in that country's schools. Set in Buenos Aires in 1840 during an unsuccessful uprising against the rule of the cruel Federalist dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas, Amalia is part political allegory and part love story. The love story involves Eduardo Belgrano, stalwart Unitarian and nephew of an earlier Argentinean revolutionary hero. While trying to emigrate, Eduardo is attacked by Rosas's thugs but then saved by Daniel Bello, his dashing and crafty best friend and taken to the home of Daniel's beautiful widowed cousin, Amalia. She and Eduardo quickly fall in love, though their relationship is impeded by his status as a wanted man. Meanwhile, Daniel, who masquerades as a dedicated Federalist, is organizing behind the scenes to deliver the capital to the Unitarian troops, who are poised to attack. While the novel has the potential to appeal to readers of 19th-century fiction generally, this scholarly edition will find its audience primarily in academia. Lawrence Rungren, Merrimack Valley Lib. Consortium, Andover, MA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Language has always been a barrier to our unity as the Americas, and most especially to our reading of each other's literatures. Now with this new series by Oxford University Press, the library of Latin America is literally open to North Americans and to English speakers everywhere. This is an important series for anyone who is prevented from knowing the classics of the southern half of this hemisphere because of not knowing the language. �Bienvenidos to these new readers!"-Julia Alvarez

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Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195122771
• ISBN-13: 978-0195122770
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great if you love Latin American Lit, a snooze if you don't., June 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Amalia (Library of Latin America) (Paperback)

This novel is fascinating for the insights that it provides on Argentine life and thought in the early and mid 19th century. The supporting characters are all fascinating and cleverly depicted. The lead characters, however, are ciphers. They are wooden figures bearing the weight of 19th century romanticism and the burden is too much for them.

If you love Argentina or are fascinated by 19th century Latin American historical developments, then this is a good book for you. If you are a student of Latin American literature you probably ought to read the book, as many claim that it is the first "novel" written in South America. Either way, you will see theories expounded as to why dictatorship took over the recently independent Argentina; perspectives on what Marmol thought should constitute the Argentine nation ( and what should not); and portraits of a society living in fear of a brutal political regime.

If none of the above is germane for you, then you may be better off skipping this novel, as you will also have to deal with occasional digressions, overwrought prose, and annoyingly idealized lead characters. If you are not a fan of Romantic literature, by-pass this one.