Essay
Facundo: Civilization and Barbarism
Facundo. Civilización y barbarie
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento · 1845
Synopsis
The book first describes the geography, the inhabitants and the history of the country, according to Memoria Chilena, then follows the life of the caudillo Juan Facundo Quiroga: the son of a well-off family, little educated, a gambler nicknamed “el jugador”, he kills a man in his youth, becomes head of the militia of the Llanos de La Rioja and extends his power to the neighbouring provinces. Through him, the author targets Juan Manuel de Rosas, whom he presents as his heir.
Context
The text first appeared as a serial in El Progreso, in Santiago, Chile, from 2 May to 21 June 1845, then in volume form the same year, according to Memoria Chilena, which links it to the visit of an envoy of Rosas to Chile. The second edition, in 1851, removed the last two chapters, which were restored in 1874. A first French translation appeared in 1853, that of Marcel Bataillon in 1934, according to the BnF. Roberto González Echevarría regards it as the most important book written by a Latin American.
Who it is for
An essay of two hundred pages, between geography, biography and pamphlet, for understanding the country's founding debates.
Prizes and reception
For Kathleen Ross, one of the foundational works of Spanish American literary history.