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Literary Fiction· Colombia

The Armies

by Evelio Rosero
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2006Spanish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Armies (2006) by Evelio Rosero continues to receive. Evelio Rosero's 'The Armies' is a poignant and harrowing depiction of life in a small Colombian village caught in the crossfire of the country's armed conflict. Through the eyes of Ismael, a retired teacher, the novel captures the terror and uncertainty faced by civilians. Rosero's narrative is both a critique of the violence that has plagued Colombia and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Themes of war, violence, resilience run through the work. The book has received recognition from Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2009.

Book Details

AuthorEvelio Rosero
Published2006
Country of Origin🇨🇴 Colombia
LanguageSpanish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780811219856
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

🇨🇴 Colombia

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

Explore books from Colombia →

Editorial Assessment

The Armies by Evelio Rosero sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2006 in Colombia, it engages with war, violence, resilience, community in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Armies among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2009. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Armies is how it handles its central concerns — war, violence, resilience, community — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Armies reflects Evelio Rosero's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Colombia'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

BBC Big Read
notable · global
20090
✍️
About the Author
Evelio Rosero
Colombia
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Evelio Rosero is a Colombia author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Armies about?

Evelio Rosero's 'The Armies' is a poignant and harrowing depiction of life in a small Colombian village caught in the crossfire of the country's armed conflict. Through the eyes of Ismael, a retired teacher, the novel captures the terror and uncertainty faced by civilians. Rosero's narrative is both a critique of the violence that has plagued Colombia and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Who wrote The Armies?

The Armies was written by Evelio Rosero, from Colombia. First published in 2006.

What awards has The Armies won?

The Armies has received the following recognition: Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2009.

Is The Armies worth reading?

The Armies 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 war, violence, resilience.

Where can I buy The Armies?

You can buy The Armies on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Armies?

The Armies is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Armies from?

The Armies originates from Colombia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Colombia on our country page.

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