Popular South American Historical Fiction Books
Find historical fiction books written by authors from South America for the next part of the Read Around The World Challenge. (52)
1.
A Long Petal of the Sea : A Novel by Isabel Allende EN
Country: South America / 
Peru
Peru
Description:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of The House of the Spirits, this epic novel spanning decades and crossing continents follows two young people as they flee the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in search of a place to call home. “One of the most richly imagined portrayals of the Spanish Civil War to date, and one of the strongest and most affecting works in [Isabel Allende’s] long career.”—The New York Times Book Review NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Esquire • Good Housekeeping • Parade In the late 1930s, civil war grips Spain. When General Franco and his Fascists succ... continue
2.
Affections : A Novel by Rodrigo Hasbún EN
Country: South America / 
Bolivia
Bolivia
Description:
The award-winning and haunting novel from Rodrigo Hasbún, the literary star Jonathan Safran Foer calls, “a great writer,” about an unusual family’s breakdown—set in South America during the time of Che Guevara and inspired by the life of Third Reich cinematographer Hans Ertl. Inspired by real events, Affections is the story of the eccentric, fascinating Ertl clan, headed by the egocentric and extraordinary Hans, once the cameraman for the Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl. Shortly after the end of World War II, Hans and his family flee to Bolivia to start over. There, the ever-restless Hans d... continue
3.
Angola Janga by Marcelo d'Salete EN
Country: South America / 
Brazil
Brazil
Description:
An independent kingdom of runaway slaves founded in the late 16th century, Angola Janga was a beacon of freedom in a land plagued with oppression. In stark black ink and chiaroscuro panel compositions, D’Salete brings history to life; the painful stories of fugitive slaves on the run, the brutal raids by Portuguese colonists, and the tense power struggles within this precarious kingdom. At turns heartbreaking and empowering, Angola Janga sheds light on a long-overlooked moment of resistance against oppression.
4.
Bloemblad van zee by Isabel Allende NL
Country: South America / Peru
Peru
Description:
Twee jonge Spanjaarden ontvluchten Spanje vanwege de Burgeroorlog en bouwen in Chili een nieuw leven op.
5.
City of God : A Novel by Paulo Lins EN
Country: South America / Brazil
Brazil
Description:
The searing novel on which the internationally acclaimed hit film was based. “A Scarface-like urban epic . . . punctuated with lyricism and longing” (Publishers Weekly). City of God is a gritty, gorgeous tour de force from one of Brazil’s most notorious slums. Cidade de Deus: a place where the streets are awash with narcotics, where violence can erupt at any moment over drugs, money, and love—but also a place where the samba beat rocks till dawn, where the women are the most beautiful on earth, and where one young man wants to escape his background and become a photographer. When City of God e... continue
6.
Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior EN
Country: South America / Brazil
Brazil
Description:
Heralded as the most important Brazilian novel of the century so far, this bestseller's unique blend of magic and social realism won it three literary awards and global acclaim 'I heard our grandmother asking what we were doing.'"Say something!" she demanded, threatening to tear out our tongues. Little did she know that one of us was holding her tongue in her hand.' Deep in Brazil's neglected Bahia hinterland, two sisters find an ancient knife beneath their grandmother's bed and, momentarily mystified by its power, decide to taste its metal. The shuddering violence that follows marks their liv... continue
7.
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende EN
Country: South America / Peru
Peru
Description:
An orphan raised in Valparaíso, Chile, by a Victorian spinster and her rigid brother, young, vivacious Eliza Sommers follows her lover to California during the Gold Rush of 1849. She enters a rough-and-tumble world whose newly arrived inhabitants are driven mad by gold fever. With the help of her good friend and savior, the Chinese doctor Tao Chi'en, Eliza moves freely in a society of single men and prostitutes, creating an unconventional but independent life for herself. The young Chilean's search for her elusive lover gradually turns into another kind of journey, and by the time she finally ... continue
8.
Doña Inés Versus Oblivion by Ana Teresa Torres EN
Country: South America / 
Venezuela
Venezuela
Description:
Winner of the Pegasus Prize for International Literature, this novel tells the history of a bitter family dispute, beginning in 18th century Caracas and spanning nearly two centuries. Translated from Spanish by Gregory Rabassa.
10.
Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras EN
Country: South America / 
Colombia
Colombia
Description:
LibraryReads and Indie Next PickThis mesmerizing debut set in Colombia at the height of Pablo Escobar's violent reign is about a sheltered young girl and a teenage maid whose unlikely friendship threatens to undo them both. Inspired by the author's own life, Fruit of the Drunken Tree contrasts two very different, but inextricably linked, coming-of-age stories.