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Politics & Society· Guatemala

The President

by Miguel Ángel Asturias
Aggregate Editorial Score60/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1946Spanish
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About This Book

Miguel Ángel Asturias's The President (1946) stands as one of the most significant works of politics & society of its era. The President is a powerful political novel by Miguel Ángel Asturias that critiques dictatorship and authoritarianism in Latin America. Set in an unnamed country, the story revolves around the oppressive regime of a tyrannical leader and its impact on the citizens. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of fear and corruption and is considered a classic of Latin American literature. Themes of dictatorship, oppression, fear run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1967.

Book Details

AuthorMiguel Ángel Asturias
Published1946
Country of Origin🇬🇹 Guatemala
LanguageSpanish
Category🏛️ Politics & Society
ISBN9780394755510
Editorial Score60/100
About the Category

🏛️ Politics & Society

Analysis of political systems, power, and social structures.

Explore all Politics & Society books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇹 Guatemala

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

Explore books from Guatemala →

Editorial Assessment

Miguel Ángel Asturias published The President in 1946, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of politics & society from Guatemala. The book's treatment of dictatorship, oppression, fear, corruption accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1967. With an editorial score of 60/100 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. What distinguishes The President is how it handles its central concerns — dictatorship, oppression, fear, corruption — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The President reflects Miguel Ángel Asturias's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Guatemala'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

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
19670
✍️
About the Author
Miguel Ángel Asturias
Guatemala
View Author →

Miguel Ángel Asturias is a Guatemala author whose work in politics & society has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The President about?

The President is a powerful political novel by Miguel Ángel Asturias that critiques dictatorship and authoritarianism in Latin America. Set in an unnamed country, the story revolves around the oppressive regime of a tyrannical leader and its impact on the citizens. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of fear and corruption and is considered a classic of Latin American literature.

Who wrote The President?

The President was written by Miguel Ángel Asturias, from Guatemala. First published in 1946.

What awards has The President won?

The President has received the following recognition: Nobel Prize in Literature 1967.

Is The President worth reading?

The President is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 60/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in dictatorship, oppression, fear.

Where can I buy The President?

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

What category is The President?

The President is classified as Politics & Society. Analysis of political systems, power, and social structures.

What country is The President from?

The President originates from Guatemala's literary tradition. Explore more books from Guatemala on our country page.

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