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Cover of The Feast of the Goat
Literary Fiction· Peru

The Feast of the Goat

by Mario Vargas Llosa
Aggregate Editorial Score41/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 2000506 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 2000, The Feast of the Goat established Mario Vargas Llosa as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Three narratives—the assassination of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1961, the tyrant himself in his last days, and the return of a Trujillo victim's daughter forty years later—interweave in Vargas Llosa's finest novel. A masterpiece of political fiction. Themes of Trujillo, dictatorship, Dominican Republic run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 2000.

Book Details

AuthorMario Vargas Llosa
Published2000
Country of Origin🇵🇪 Peru
LanguageEnglish
Pages506
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780312420277
Editorial Score41/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

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

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇵🇪 Peru

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

Explore books from Peru →

Editorial Assessment

The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2000 in Peru, it engages with Trujillo, dictatorship, Dominican Republic, violence in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: ALA Notable Books 2000. With an editorial score of 41/100 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 The Feast of the Goat lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of Trujillo, dictatorship, Dominican Republic, violence is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Peru's literary landscape, Mario Vargas Llosa occupies a significant position. The Feast of the Goat 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

ALA Notable Books
notable · national
200012
✍️
About the Author
Mario Vargas Llosa
Peru
View Author →

Mario Vargas Llosa is a celebrated author from Peru known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Feast of the Goat about?

Three narratives—the assassination of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1961, the tyrant himself in his last days, and the return of a Trujillo victim's daughter forty years later—interweave in Vargas Llosa's finest novel. A masterpiece of political fiction.

Who wrote The Feast of the Goat?

The Feast of the Goat was written by Mario Vargas Llosa, from Peru. First published in 2000.

What awards has The Feast of the Goat won?

The Feast of the Goat has received the following awards and honours: ALA Notable Books 2000.

Is The Feast of the Goat worth reading?

The Feast of the Goat is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 12/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in Trujillo, dictatorship, Dominican Republic.

Where can I buy The Feast of the Goat?

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

What category is The Feast of the Goat?

The Feast of the Goat is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Feast of the Goat from?

The Feast of the Goat originates from Peru's literary tradition. Explore more books from Peru on our country page.

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