Latin American Fiction: A Short Introduction (blackwell Introductions To Literature)

Latin American Fiction i Blackwell Introductions to Literature This series sets out to provide concise and stimulating introductions to literary subjects. It offers books on major authors (from John Milton to James Joyce), as well as key periods and movements (from Old English literature to the contemporary). Coverage is also afforded to such specific topics as ‘Arthurian Romance’. All are written by outstanding scholars as texts to inspire newcomers and others: nonspecialists wishing to revisit a topic, or general readers. The overall aim is to ground and prepare students and readers of whatever kind in their pursuit of wider reading. Published 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. John Milton James Joyce Chaucer and the Canterbury Tales Arthurian Romance Mark Twain The Modern Novel Old Norse-Icelandic Literature Old English Literature Modernism Latin American Fiction ii Roy Flannagan Michael Seidel John Hirsh Derek Pearsall Stephen Railton Jesse Matz Heather O’Donoghue Daniel Donoghue David Ayers Philip Swanson Latin American Fiction A Short Introduction Philip Swanson iii © 2005 by Philip Swanson BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JF, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of Philip Swanson to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. First published 2005 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Swanson, Philip, 1959– Latin American fiction : a short introduction / Philip Swanson. p. cm.—(Blackwell introductions to literature) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-4051-0865-7 (hardback : alk. paper)—ISBN 1-4051-0866-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Spanish American fiction—20th century—History and criticism. 2. Spanish American fiction—19th century—History and criticism. I. Title. II. Series. PQ7082.N7S955 2004 863′.70998—dc22 2004011681 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Set in 10/13pt Meridien by Graphicraft Limited, Hong Kong Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by MPG Books, Bodmin, Cornwall The publisher’s policy is to use permanent paper from mills that operate a sustainable forestry policy, and which has been manufactured from pulp processed using acid-free and elementary chlorine-free practices. Furthermore, the publisher ensures that the text paper and cover board used have met acceptable environmental accreditation standards. For further information on Blackwell Publishing, visit our website: www.blackwellpublishing.com iv For Kaarina and Jo Jo v vi Contents 1 Beginnings: Narrative and the Challenge of New Nations 1 2 National Narratives: Regional and Continental Identities 20 3 The Rise of the N