Picture of author.

Rómulo Gallegos (1884–1969)

Author of Doña Barbara

28+ Works 679 Members 18 Reviews

About the Author

Image credit: Gallegos (left) with Harry S. Truman. Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

Works by Rómulo Gallegos

Associated Works

The Eye of the Heart: Short Stories from Latin America (1973) — Contributor — 156 copies, 2 reviews
The Oxford Book of Latin American Short Stories (1997) — Contributor — 111 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Members

Reviews

Excelente novela.
 
Flagged
NesiLeon | 12 other reviews | Oct 21, 2024 |
Published in 1929, this historical novel is set in Venezuela. It centers on two protagonists, Doña Bárbara and Santos Luzardo, with a large cast of supporting characters. Santos returns from abroad to his run his father’s ranch, Altamira, when he realizes it is controlled by a wealthy, manipulative local landowner, Doña Bárbara. She lives on the neighboring ranch, El Miedo (The Fear). She has had a tumultuous relationship with Lorenzo Barquero, and they have a daughter, Marisela. After spurning both Lorenzo and Marisela, she sets her sights on Santos.

The main theme of this novel is the coming of modern ways to the llanos (plains). The old ways are maintained by Doña Bárbara, and she attempts to take over the land and cattle that belong to Santos. This is a time before fencing of the land, so cattle were routinely “re-branded” and claimed by others. There are many local superstitions. The local people think Doña Bárbara is a sorceress.

I read the English translation by Robert Malloy. It beautifully describes the Venezuelan landscape, including the plains, jungles, rivers, and mountains, each with distinctive flora, fauna, climate, and customs. It is an inhospitable region. This book is similar to an old-fashioned US “western,” but with more poetic writing and set on the Venezuelan plains. It is an allegorical novel, and it will not be difficult to spot the symbolism. The characters are a bit thin, but it is definitely worth reading for its historical significance, especially if you are interested in world literature.
… (more)
 
Flagged
Castlelass | 12 other reviews | Oct 30, 2022 |
The blurb on the cover says "a Madame Bovary of the llano", but really it feels much more akin to Steinbeck's East of Eden, both in setting - ranching and farming - and in content: generational family story centered on a scion of the family returning to the family ranch and trying to do good; and the contrast between love and lust and hate; and the good that good and love eventually works. Some of the comments by the narrative voice and the characters regarding women, indigenous, and racialized peoples are bothersome, but they are product of a time and a place and we cannot deny that these ideas or attitudes did not exist. There is a term in the original that has been translated as "tiger" and I just cannot fathom tigers being out on the plains of Venezuela.… (more)
 
Flagged
AmyMacEvilly | 12 other reviews | Aug 21, 2021 |
My rating is probably more reflective of my reading preferences than the quality of the book. I did not realize going in that, despite being set in Venezuela, the book was largely a "western". Not being a huge fan of the genre (nor being appreciative of its potential) the book didn't work for me. Not a bad read but not the best for me.
 
Flagged
colligan | 12 other reviews | Jan 3, 2021 |

Lists

Awards

You May Also Like

Associated Authors

Statistics

Works
28
Also by
3
Members
679
Popularity
#37,221
Rating
3.8
Reviews
18
ISBNs
95
Languages
5

Charts & Graphs