I just finished "You Dreamed of Empires: A Novel", having savored it for the past week. I found myself regularly going back to re-read passages for the sheer pleasure of the prose. Thank you, Alavaro Enigue, for the most enjoyable book I've read in the past year. I plan to re-read it in a few months; I'm sure there's a lot more gold in those mines.
While I suspect the Castilians would have eventually succeeded in any event, if only due to the ravages of smallpox virus they brought with them, the speed and manner in which the powerful Aztec empire crumbled remains shocking. I was enthralled to read an informed and imaginative scenario of how it may have happened. ... plus one short alternative ending.
Full disclosure: I've long been intrigued in the improbable conquest of Mexico by a small band of conquistadors, so my interest level is likely higher than the general public. Even so, I strongly recommend it to anyone with an interest in Mexican history, power dynamics, organizational behavior, and crisis management.
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A brilliant and hilarious alternative history
This short, humorous novel (219 pages) takes place on one day, the day in 1519 when Cortés enters Tenochtitlan, capitol city of the Triple Alliance (now known as the Aztec Empire), at the invitation of Moctezuma, the huey tlatoani (emperor), with his troops, translators, and horses. This is an imaginitive alternative history, or what Michael Moorcock calls "fictional history," as opposed to historical fiction, though some of the particulars did actually happen.The main story involves Moctezuma's court -- the Spanish characters are secondary. The main, and most sympathetic, of the Spaniards (the Caxtilteca) is Jazmín Caldera, the expedition's main investor. The main, and most sympathetic of the Tenochca is Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl (mayor) of the city. Atotoxtli, the empress -- sister and wife of Moctezuma -- also plays a major role.A great example of the humor can be found in the names given to the elder Councillors, like He Who Looses the Rain of Words and Governs the Songs Lest We Be Like the Flowers and Bees That Last But a Few Days. Toward the end, Moctezuma pays a visit to the Great Temple, stoned out of his mind on mushrooms. As he meets with the high priest he hears a T. Rex song and dances along. The priest, also dosed, hears it too: "...he bent his magic powers of hearing to the music and caught the sexy crooning of Marc Bolan" (177). There is a running joke, and mystery, about "the story of the ant."What will happen to the Caxtilteca, who seem to be prisoners? What about the huge army waiting outside the gate, composed of enemies of the Triple Alliance? Enrigue masterfully keeps the reader guessing, and concludes the novel with a dazzling finale.*** *** ***There is no reason for confusion over the Nahuatl names. The author provides a list of characters with their names, nicknames, and roles. Any reader who has read a novel before will be prepared for the third person narrator to move from one of these characters to another, it is very clear.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
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Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
The main story involves Moctezuma's court -- the Spanish characters are secondary. The main, and most sympathetic, of the Spaniards (the Caxtilteca) is Jazmín Caldera, the expedition's main investor. The main, and most sympathetic of the Tenochca is Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl (mayor) of the city. Atotoxtli, the empress -- sister and wife of Moctezuma -- also plays a major role.
A great example of the humor can be found in the names given to the elder Councillors, like He Who Looses the Rain of Words and Governs the Songs Lest We Be Like the Flowers and Bees That Last But a Few Days. Toward the end, Moctezuma pays a visit to the Great Temple, stoned out of his mind on mushrooms. As he meets with the high priest he hears a T. Rex song and dances along. The priest, also dosed, hears it too: "...he bent his magic powers of hearing to the music and caught the sexy crooning of Marc Bolan" (177). There is a running joke, and mystery, about "the story of the ant."
What will happen to the Caxtilteca, who seem to be prisoners? What about the huge army waiting outside the gate, composed of enemies of the Triple Alliance? Enrigue masterfully keeps the reader guessing, and concludes the novel with a dazzling finale.
*** *** ***
There is no reason for confusion over the Nahuatl names. The author provides a list of characters with their names, nicknames, and roles. Any reader who has read a novel before will be prepared for the third person narrator to move from one of these characters to another, it is very clear.
A brilliant and hilarious alternative history
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
This short, humorous novel (219 pages) takes place on one day, the day in 1519 when Cortés enters Tenochtitlan, capitol city of the Triple Alliance (now known as the Aztec Empire), at the invitation of Moctezuma, the huey tlatoani (emperor), with his troops, translators, and horses. This is an imaginitive alternative history, or what Michael Moorcock calls "fictional history," as opposed to historical fiction, though some of the particulars did actually happen.Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
The main story involves Moctezuma's court -- the Spanish characters are secondary. The main, and most sympathetic, of the Spaniards (the Caxtilteca) is Jazmín Caldera, the expedition's main investor. The main, and most sympathetic of the Tenochca is Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl (mayor) of the city. Atotoxtli, the empress -- sister and wife of Moctezuma -- also plays a major role.
A great example of the humor can be found in the names given to the elder Councillors, like He Who Looses the Rain of Words and Governs the Songs Lest We Be Like the Flowers and Bees That Last But a Few Days. Toward the end, Moctezuma pays a visit to the Great Temple, stoned out of his mind on mushrooms. As he meets with the high priest he hears a T. Rex song and dances along. The priest, also dosed, hears it too: "...he bent his magic powers of hearing to the music and caught the sexy crooning of Marc Bolan" (177). There is a running joke, and mystery, about "the story of the ant."
What will happen to the Caxtilteca, who seem to be prisoners? What about the huge army waiting outside the gate, composed of enemies of the Triple Alliance? Enrigue masterfully keeps the reader guessing, and concludes the novel with a dazzling finale.
*** *** ***
There is no reason for confusion over the Nahuatl names. The author provides a list of characters with their names, nicknames, and roles. Any reader who has read a novel before will be prepared for the third person narrator to move from one of these characters to another, it is very clear.
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Top reviews from other countries
Arthur C. Schneider
amazing enchanting historic novel
Reviewed in Germany on May 26, 2024
