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Literary Fiction· Paraguay

Son of Man

by Augusto Roa Bastos
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1960Spanish
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About This Book

Son of Man by Augusto Roa Bastos is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1960. Son of Man is a seminal work by Augusto Roa Bastos that delves into the socio-political landscape of Paraguay. Through a series of interlinked stories, it paints a vivid picture of the struggles and resilience of the Paraguayan people. The novel is celebrated for its lyrical prose and its deep exploration of themes such as oppression, identity, and redemption. Themes of oppression, identity, resilience run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAugusto Roa Bastos
Published1960
Country of Origin🇵🇾 Paraguay
LanguageSpanish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780292704265
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

🇵🇾 Paraguay

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

Explore books from Paraguay →

Editorial Assessment

Son of Man by Augusto Roa Bastos sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1960 in Paraguay, it engages with oppression, identity, resilience, redemption in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Son of Man lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of oppression, identity, resilience, redemption is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Paraguay's literary landscape, Augusto Roa Bastos occupies a significant position. Son of Man is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
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

NYT Best Sellers
notable · national
19600
✍️
About the Author
Augusto Roa Bastos
Paraguay
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Augusto Roa Bastos is a Paraguay author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Son of Man about?

Son of Man is a seminal work by Augusto Roa Bastos that delves into the socio-political landscape of Paraguay. Through a series of interlinked stories, it paints a vivid picture of the struggles and resilience of the Paraguayan people. The novel is celebrated for its lyrical prose and its deep exploration of themes such as oppression, identity, and redemption.

Who wrote Son of Man?

Son of Man was written by Augusto Roa Bastos, from Paraguay. First published in 1960.

What awards has Son of Man won?

Son of Man has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Son of Man worth reading?

Son of Man 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 oppression, identity, resilience.

Where can I buy Son of Man?

You can buy Son of Man on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Son of Man?

Son of Man is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Son of Man from?

Son of Man originates from Paraguay's literary tradition. Explore more books from Paraguay on our country page.

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