As he lies on his deathbed, the aging and corrupt tycoon Artemio Cruz reflects on the pivotal moments of his life that led him from the battlefields of the Mexican Revolution to the heights of political and financial power. Cruz navigates his final hours by oscillating between his current physical decay and the memories of his past, which are presented through a non-linear narrative structure. He struggles with the consequences of his betrayals, his pursuit of wealth, and the cold pragmatism he employed to survive the shifting political landscape of twentieth-century Mexico. The narrative framework utilizes shifting perspectives, alternating between the first-person 'I' of his present suffering, the second-person 'you' of his memories, and the third-person 'he' of his objective history. These distinct voices serve to dissect the fragmentation of his identity and the moral compromises inherent in his rise to prominence.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the technical complexity of the narrative, noting how the shifting pronouns effectively mirror the protagonist's fractured psyche. Discussion often centers on the book's role as a critique of the institutionalization of the Mexican Revolution and the resulting moral vacuum among the ruling elite. Many observers appreciate the dense, atmospheric prose that balances historical context with intimate character study. The pacing is often described as deliberate and demanding, requiring the reader to piece together the protagonist's life from disjointed memories. Overall, the work is recognized for its stylistic innovation and its unflinching portrayal of a man defined by his own opportunism.