Death In The Andes

Death In The Andes (1993) is another fascinating novel by Peruvian master Mario Vargas Llosa. Llosa recounts several stories at once, the main overall story is the mysterious death of three people in a remote Andean village that is investigated by Peruvian Army corporal Lituma and his love struck deputy Tomas. Each night Tomas tells his story of his lost love, the beautiful and illusive Mercedes--who it turns out was from Lituma's hometown and the subject of yet another story. There is danger all around from nature, the terrorist, and possibly from evil spirits that the simple mountain villagers still fear. Death can come at the hands of terrorists using rocks to kill. This episode is told through the eyes of the terrified French travelers. There's a mute who witnesses the mutilation of a herd of alpacas and undergoes torture by the police in an attempt to get information on the terrorists. But perhaps there are more terrifying ways to die when true believers try to quell the spirits of the Andes, the "apus." And we also hear the tale of Dionisio and his wife Dona Adriana who provide alcohol and a place for the workers of the highway to unwind and be regaled with tales of the super natural. It is a virtuoso telling of an epic account with multiple characters with their own distinctive and compelling stories told economically and powerfully.