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Cover of Kiss of the Spider Woman
Literary Fiction· Argentina

Kiss of the Spider Woman

by Manuel Puig
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1976Spanish
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About This Book

Published in 1976, Kiss of the Spider Woman established Manuel Puig as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Kiss of the Spider Woman is a novel that explores the relationship between two prisoners in an Argentine jail. Through their conversations, the novel addresses themes of love, politics, and the power of storytelling. It is acclaimed for its innovative narrative style and its profound commentary on society and human relationships. Themes of love, politics, storytelling run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorManuel Puig
Published1976
Country of Origin🇦🇷 Argentina
LanguageSpanish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679724490
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇦🇷 Argentina

This book is part of Argentina's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Argentina →

Editorial Assessment

Manuel Puig published Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1976, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Argentina. The book's treatment of love, politics, storytelling, identity accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes Kiss of the Spider Woman is how it handles its central concerns — love, politics, storytelling, identity — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Kiss of the Spider Woman reflects Manuel Puig's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Argentina's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
20030
✍️
About the Author
Manuel Puig
Argentina
View Author →

Manuel Puig is a Argentina author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kiss of the Spider Woman about?

Kiss of the Spider Woman is a novel that explores the relationship between two prisoners in an Argentine jail. Through their conversations, the novel addresses themes of love, politics, and the power of storytelling. It is acclaimed for its innovative narrative style and its profound commentary on society and human relationships.

Who wrote Kiss of the Spider Woman?

Kiss of the Spider Woman was written by Manuel Puig, from Argentina. First published in 1976.

What awards has Kiss of the Spider Woman won?

Kiss of the Spider Woman has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Kiss of the Spider Woman worth reading?

Kiss of the Spider Woman is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in love, politics, storytelling.

Where can I buy Kiss of the Spider Woman?

You can buy Kiss of the Spider Woman on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Kiss of the Spider Woman?

Kiss of the Spider Woman is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Kiss of the Spider Woman from?

Kiss of the Spider Woman originates from Argentina's literary tradition. Explore more books from Argentina on our country page.

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