Carlos Fuentes' The Death of Artemio Cruz, translated by Alfred J. MacAdam, is praised for its innovative narrative structure and rich, evocative language. However, some find the shifting perspectives disorienting. The translation captures the novel's essence, though it challenges readers unfamiliar with Mexican history. Overall, a compelling but demanding read.

Readers who appreciate The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes are typically intrigued by complex narratives and historical contexts. Comparable to García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Vargas Llosa's The Feast of the Goat, this novel will fascinate those interested in Latin American history, political intrigue, and rich, multifaceted characters.

Set against the Mexican Revolution, The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes explores the life of Artemio Cruz, an orphaned peasant who ascends from a revolutionary soldier to a corrupt and wealthy politician, reflecting on his life from his deathbed. The novel is structurally complex, with non-linear chapters and varied narrative voices, capturing Cruz's internal and external struggles. The book discusses war and death.

Mysterious / Dark / Melancholic / Contemplative / Bittersweet

- The Death of Artemio Cruz is considered a landmark in Latin American literature, and it employs a unique narrative structure that shifts between first, second, and third person perspectives.
- Carlos Fuentes explored themes of memory, identity, and power in the novel, making it an important work for discussions on post-revolutionary Mexico.
- The narrative style and themes of The Death of Artemio Cruz helped pave the way for Fuentes's inclusion among prominent writers in the Latin American Boom, alongside names like Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar.

Carlos Fuentes

Transl. Alfred J. MacAdam

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Death of Artemio Cruz reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Death of Artemio Cruz | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Death of Artemio Cruz and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Death of Artemio Cruz Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 2

The Death of Artemio Cruz Introduction-Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 3-4

The Death of Artemio Cruz Chapters 3-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-6

The Death of Artemio Cruz Chapters 5-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-9

The Death of Artemio Cruz Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-12

The Death of Artemio Cruz Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Death of Artemio Cruz Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Death of Artemio Cruz Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Death of Artemio Cruz Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Death of Artemio Cruz Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Death of Artemio Cruz Essay Topics

The Death of Artemio Cruz

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Death of Artemio Cruz?

Reading Age

Book Details