The Death of Artemio Cruz
Carlos Fuentes · 1928–2012 · Mexico
Originally La muerte de Artemio Cruz (Spanish)
Why it matters
A dying oligarch remembers in first, second, and third person: the Mexican Revolution's betrayal conjugated across one deathbed. The Boom's technical manifesto and Mexico's great novel of power.
At a glance
modernistpolitical novel
Difficulty 8/10slow pace306 pagesShifting first-, second-, and third-person narration deliberately scrambles chronology.
Deep dive
Three grammatical persons narrate one dying man's life — and the novel's real suspense is over which one of them is lying to him.
Where to go next
Carlos Fuentes · 1958Where the Air Is ClearLvl 8Slow burn
Carlos Fuentes · 1962AuraLvl 6Medium pace
Carlos Fuentes · 1975Terra NostraLvl 10Slow burn
Carlos Fuentes · 1985The Old GringoLvl 5Medium pace
Mario Vargas Llosa · 1963The Time of the HeroLvl 6Medium pace
Gabriel García Márquez · 1967One Hundred Years of SolitudeLvl 6Medium pace