When I travel, (or sometimes after an amazing trip) I love to take along a good read that relates to where I am travelling. Latin America writers have a lot to offer and many are readily available in English, as well as some fascinating travel memoirs.
Here are some of my recommend reads:
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
One of the best known novels to come out of South America, by this award winning Colombian author. Written in the “Magical Realism” style, which can take a little adjust too at first if you are not familiar with it, but don’t take things too seriously and you can become engrossed in the this multi-generational story of the Buendía family set in a mystical Colombian town.
2. House of Spirits, Isabel Allende
International best seller following a local family, tracing the post-colonial social and political upheavals of Chile.
3. The Motorcycle Diaries, Che Guevara
A memoir, this one has also been made into a movie of the same name, it follows the travels and adventures of a young Che Guevara on his motorbike around South America.
4. Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life , Jon Lee Anderson
Hmm…I guess I have a fascination about Che! This one is a well researched biography on Che Guevara's life.
5. In Patagonia, Bruce Chatwin
A great read if you are planning a trip to Patagonia! This is an English writer's account of his journey through Patagonia in the early 70s.
6. The Old Gringo, Carlos Fuentes
A great Mexican novel that explores themes of death, cultural exchange, and Mexican identity.
7. Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel
Written by another well know Mexican novelist, this story follows a young woman who longs for her lover, but tradition prevents their marriage, so she expresses herself through cooking.
8. Who Killed Palomino Molero? Mario Vargas Llosa
My favourite Pervian writer. This is a detective novel set in 1950s Peru.
9. The Raw Scent of Vanilla (A Memoir), Emilia Bresciani
A memoir set in Peru and Australia. Emilia turns to the wisdom of the Amazon jungle when tragedy strikes.
10. On Mexican Time: A new life in San Miguel, Tony Cohan
The experiences of an American and his wife that fell in love with San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and uprooted their lives to move there.
Latin America Novels
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There are so many more great stories to discover, let your next trip to South America inspire you!
Tara Sutherland
Tara Sutherland is Viva Expeditions’ General Manager and lifelong Latin America enthusiast. Her love for the region kicked off with a school project on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca and took her all the way to Honduras as a teen, and later Mexico City—where she fell hard for the colours, chaos and culture. She’s explored everywhere from the peaks of Patagonia to the jungles of Guatemala and brings years of first-hand experience to leading the Viva team. These days, she’s more often behind the scenes, but still gets just as excited about new places, hidden gems, and what makes travel truly unforgettable.
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