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The Mulatta And Mister Fly (King Penguin) Asturias, Miguel Angel and Rabassa, G.
A man enters into a Faustian bargain with a supernatural entity, triggering a series of surreal and grotesque transformations that challenge the boundaries of reality. Celestino Yumi, a simple farmer, seeks to improve his life by striking a deal with the demon Huracan, known as Mister Fly. This pact leads to the arrival of the Mulatta, a shape-shifting force of nature who disrupts the social and spiritual order of the community. The narrative operates through a non-linear, dreamlike framework that blends indigenous Mayan mythology with Catholic iconography to explore themes of greed, lust, and cosmic retribution.
Readers and critics often describe this work as a challenging yet rewarding example of the magical realism movement. Discussion frequently centers on the author's ability to weave complex indigenous myths into a modern satirical framework that defies traditional storytelling conventions. Many highlight the dense, hallucinatory atmosphere as a primary feature that requires careful attention to navigate the shifting perspectives. The balance between the grotesque physical transformations and the underlying philosophical inquiries into human nature remains a frequent point of analysis for scholars of Latin American literature.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
1984-03-29
Publisher:
Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN-10:
0140068708
ISBN-13:
9780140068702
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