“By Night in Chile” by Roberto Bolaño is about a dying priest, Father Urrutia, who reflects on his life and involvement with Chile’s political and cultural elite.
As he looks back, he reveals his connections to figures of power during the Pinochet dictatorship and his personal compromises. The book blends his confessional thoughts with a critique of political and literary complicity in dark times.
The story of “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende follows the lives of the Trueba family across generations in Chile. It weaves together their personal struggles, love, loss, and the impact of political and social changes on their lives.
The novel mixes everyday life with touches of magical events, like Clara’s ability to communicate with spirits, creating an intimate portrait of family and the history of a nation.
“The Postman” by Antonio Skármeta is set on a small Chilean island during the 1970s. It follows the story of Mario Jiménez, a young postman who delivers mail to the poet Pablo Neruda.
As Mario befriends the poet, he learns about love and poetry, using this newfound passion to woo a woman named Beatriz. The story weaves Mario’s personal life with the political changes affecting Chile.
“A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende follows the journey of a young couple, Victor and Roser, who flee the Spanish Civil War and seek refuge in Chile. The story covers decades, touching on historical events like the rise and fall of Salvador Allende.
It explores love, survival, and the way history shapes lives. Victor, a doctor, and Roser, a pianist, are brought together by circumstance, and their bond grows as they navigate displacement and upheaval in a new land.
“Hell Has No Limits” by José Donoso tells the story of Manuela, a transgender sex worker in a small, decaying Chilean town. The town’s survival depends on a sawmill owned by a ruthless businessman with plans that could destroy their community.
The novel explores Manuela’s complex relationships, her struggles for dignity, and the oppressive atmosphere of the town, which teeters on the edge of change and despair.
Pedro Lemebel’s “My Tender Matador” is set during Pinochet’s Chile in the 1980s, focusing on the unlikely connection between a flamboyant trans woman known as the Queen of the Corner and a young revolutionary.
The Queen becomes involved in the young man’s secretive plans, providing a safe space for his meetings while falling for him.
The story weaves moments of tenderness with the tension of political resistance, capturing the struggles and desires of its characters against the backdrop of a dictatorship.
The novel “Distant Star” by Roberto Bolaño follows the story of an enigmatic and chillingly talented poet named Carlos Wieder. Set during and after Pinochet’s regime in Chile, it blends poetry, art, and violence in unexpected ways.
Wieder’s dark creativity takes shocking forms, and his sinister actions uncover the blurred boundaries between art and brutality.
The story unravels through the eyes of a narrator retracing Wieder’s path, offering a haunting look into how art and politics collide in unsettling times.
The book “Bad Vibes” by Alberto Fuguet follows the life of a teenager named Matías Vicuña as he navigates the social and cultural shifts in 1980s Santiago. Matías is disillusioned with his privileged upbringing and the expectations of his family.
The story shows his defiance and search for meaning in a city marked by dictatorship and unrest.
The book “Palomita Blanca” by Enrique Lafourcade follows the story of a young girl named María, a teenager navigating first love and the cultural shifts of 1970s Chile.
It captures the spirit of the time, with María caught between her feelings for a rebellious boy and the pressures of a rapidly changing society shaped by political unrest and new ideas.
Alberto Fuguet’s “The Movies of My Life” follows Beltrán Soler, a seismologist reflecting on his past as he travels to a conference. He recounts his upbringing in Chile and the pivotal moments of his life through the lens of movies that shaped him.
The story mixes personal memories with the films that influenced his perspective, creating a vivid picture of identity and nostalgia.
Rex Pickett wrote “Sideways 3 Chile,” which follows Miles and Jack on a wine-tasting trip through Chile. Miles is still chasing his dream of being a writer while Jack’s life is falling apart.
Their trip takes them through the vineyards and culture of Chile, where they meet winemakers and locals who shape their journey. The backdrop of Chile’s stunning wine country adds a fresh layer to their story.