You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer
This historical novel takes us to a very interesting place and time. It is 1519, and Cortes and his troops enter the city of Tenochtitlan. As part of his entourage, Cortes has Aguilar, a friar who had been a captive of the Nahua, and knows their language, so can interpret from Spanish to Nahua. He also has Malinalli, a Nahua princess who had been enslaved as a concubine to an Aztec leader. She can interpret from Nahua to the Aztec language.
Cortes is a less than gracious man, bad at interpreting situations, and a man without respect to his host. When first meeting the emperor Moctezuma, he attempts to embrace him, and nearly gets killed. After a short rest, the Spanish group is given a welcome meal by the empress, Atotoxtli, sister and wife of Moctezuma. We see the subtle messages being given and received, and we begin to see what some of those at the banquet, as well as those not attending, are thinking.
Allowed into the thoughts of one of Cortes; captains, Jazmin Caldera, who begins to question their hosts intentions, and into the thoughts of Malinalli as she strategizes what to interpret, what to add, and what to leave out. We also understand some thoughts of Moctezuma, as his reliance on hallucinogens becomes an issue, and those of his sister wife Atotoxtli as she tries to appease him while also influence him.
Tenochtitlan is a well-planned city, managing its resources well, and working well for its inhabitants. Enrigue gives us a sense of the size, details, and impressiveness of the city and its amenities.
As we begin to understand the complexities of the situation, Enrigue takes us into an alternative ending to the encounter, a development that takes us into 'what if' questions.
An amazing and enlightening read.
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