October’s Book Review “Death in The Andes” by Mario Vargas Llosa

October 7, 2019 SouthAmerica

Mario Vargas Llosa a Peruvian writer. Winner of The Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, and holder of the title of Marquesado de Vargas Llosa. A noble title, created by King Juan Carlos I in recognition to the work of the Peruvian/Spanish writer. Was born in Arequipa, and for many years has written exquisite novels from many genres.

I have read some of Mr. Vargas Llosa’s books in Spanish. Hence my curiosity to find out how this novel would read in English.

The book’s title itself utters mystery. It takes place in one of our most beloved places in South America “The Andes.” This novel was first published in Spanish in 1993, under its original title “Lituma en Los Andes.”

Edith Grossman translated this book into English, and I can say she did a good job. I like the way she kept some typical Peruvian colloquial expressions such; as serruchos, and terrucos. Expressions that any Peruvian wouldn’t have trouble understanding. She also kept the many nicknames that one person might have. That is so ingrained in our Peruvian culture.

“Death in The Andes,” is based on one of Mr. Vargas Llosa’s beloved characters El Sargento Lituma. A chameleon character since his first appearance and throughout the many novels written by the author.

This time the plot comprises three missing persons; the mute, the albino and a highway foreman. It is up to Lituma and his assistant Carreño to investigate and determined what happened to these men.

From the beginning I can’t help to crack a smile while reading the different names and nicknames that most of the characters have. It makes for a most interesting reading and I believe Mr. Vargas Llosa uses this style of writing to keep us on our toes; Follow the story with much attention to details. Otherwise it would be easy to lose track of who is who. The same goes for his narrative going back and forth from past events, to present ones. Especially during conversations among Tomas and Lituma.

Mr. Vargas Llosa sets different events in cities we have visited, places like Huancavelica, Concepción, Junín, Pampas, La Oroya, Jauja and my hometown of Huancayo, all in Peru’s Central Sierra.

There are two particular events in the book. One occurs in the Hotel de Turistas Huánuco, and another one in the Hotel de Turistas Huancavelica, a place we visited many times. The Peruvian Hotels de Turistas at some point held the biggest hotel chain in the country. 35 hotels with prime locations, and all under the name of Hotel de Turistas. We suggest reading our post “Rolling in Peru old school- tour the country staying in the historic tourist hotels”

Back in 1993 when Mr. Vargas Llosa published this book, Perú was coming out of one of our darkest eras in history. Going through, the pages of this book I can’t help but remember how life was back then. Terrorists placed bombs on electric towers, leaving us in the dark almost every day. People disappeared from the cities especially young men. We thought the senderistas recruited them; they killed others in broad daylight. We lived in a permanent curfew.

Knowing these events from local and national news in the cities, makes me wonder if much of the stories described in this book are partially true. The Andes could be a very dangerous place, more so, under bad circumstances. Turning it into the perfect set for a mystery.

As a writer, Mr. Vargas Llosa uses the richness of Peru’s geography, culture and its people. Peruvians know that there is always some popular party every single day of the year in the Peruvian Sierras, all you have to do is find out the little town or community having one, and you are all set.

I enjoyed the way he describes the Andean people, with their typical ponchos, chullos and their way of life. Very different to what one would see in coastal cities or the Amazonía. There is also the Andean music filled with quenas and charangos playing a huayno. The Andean people are the real Inca descendants.

Mr. Vargas Llosa placed Lituma in The Andes. A place where he becomes confused and overwhelmed by the different superstitions the Andean people have. For example, the author mentions The Pishtaco a human slayer. We too rendered ourselves to his mystery, and we embodied this mythical creature in our book “Pishtaku.”

There is also a reference to El Muki, another Andean mystical figure from the Peruvian miners. There are Pishtacos, Mukis, disappearances, executions, devils, witchcraft, sacrifices to please the Apus. All these creates a shamble in Lituma’s head. And all this while being entertained by Carreño’s love story that takes a good part of the book.

Besides the many references, facts and events of the Shining Path terrorist group during Peru’s darkest era. Mr., Vargas Llosa talks of this special place to Peruvians “Pampa Galeras.” This was an area already in trouble back in the 60’s due to the almost extinct vicuñas from the zone, it got worse by terrorists’ attacks. Today this National Reserve Pampas Galeras has over 200,000 vicuñas in this protected area.

For more about the reserve visit La Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras Barbara de A’Chille.

During the terrorist time in Peru mining companies suffered terrorist’s attacks and Mr. Vargas Llosa uses an example of how many events affected the economy of the country and weakened the mining industry.

Both Lituma and Carreño are Civil Guard employees and there is a reference to the low pay, and difficult conditions in which they have to work.

Part two in the book Mr. Vargas Llosa refers to Cerro de Pasco mine one of the biggest silver mines in the world. The Spaniards started mining it during the late XVI century. We consider it the mining capital of Perú, with deposits of silver, copper, zinc and lead. It is still an active mine.

I enjoy books that have some history in them, and Mr. Vargas Llosa talks about The Incas and their conquest. The author also talks of The Huancas and The Chancas alliance with the Spaniards to avoid being conquered by the Incas. There is not much detail on The Huancas, except being presented as savages, and how they lost their language, and instead there is Quechua, the Inca language.

Lituma can’t avoid make comparisons between his beloved Piura; the hot weather, friendly people and deserts. To the cold Andes and their savage way of life. Incidents as huaycos make for some realistic affairs, as the sacrifices or offerings to “The Apus.”

Mr. Vargas Llosa tells this story making use of some folk traditions. How to prevent an attack by the Pishtaco, how to find out what illness you have by using a guinea pig, how they can read coca leaves as if they were reading your palm.

How to dance Huaynos Sapallanga’s style. Also Mr. Vargas Llosa makes reference on how is best to drink Pisco better than cerveza, and the best Pisco is from Ica!

But, what about the men who disappeared? The reader doesn’t discover what has happened to the men until the Epilogue of the book, and although I didn’t care much for the end, I will leave to each person to decide on that matter.

I particularly enjoyed the book. As a Peruvian author, Mr. Vargas Llosa writes about Perú, with its colloquial way to talk. The book shows many aspects of Perú as a country with their political, religious, pagan, folktales and views.

There is nothing more to say except that Mr. Vargas Llosa’s style of writing is fascinating, it shows love for his native country of Peru and writes beautifully about it.

Yanira K. Wise-October, 2019