Synopses & Reviews
Here is a true literary event-the long-awaited new novel by Carlos Fuentes, one of the worlds great writers. By turns a tragedy and a farce, an acidic black comedy and an indictment of modern politics, The Eagles Throne is a seriously entertaining and perceptive story of international intrigue, sexual deception, naked ambition, and treacherous betrayal.
In the near future, at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Mexicos idealistic president has dared to vote against the U.S. occupation of Colombia and Washingtons refusal to pay OPEC prices for oil. Retaliation is swift. Concocting a “glitch” in a Florida satellite, Americas president cuts Mexicos communications systems-no phones, faxes, or e-mails-and plunges the country into an administrative nightmare of colossal proportions.
Now, despite the motto that “a Mexican politician never puts anything in writing,” people have no choice but to communicate through letters, which Fuentes crafts with a keen understanding of mans motives and desires. As the blizzard of activity grows more and more complex, political adversaries come out to prey. The ineffectual president, his scheming cabinet secretary, a thuggish and ruthless police chief, and an unscrupulous, sensual kingmaker are just a few of the fascinating characters maneuvering and jockeying for position to achieve the power they all so desperately crave.
From the Hardcover edition.
Review
"Sex, politics, Mexico and the enigmas of identity are the themes that have preoccupied...Carlos Fuentes for his entire writing life, and he brings them together once again, in full regalia, in his smashing new novel." New York Times
Review
"Fuentes...is at the top of his storytelling mastery, and his insights into Mexico's sad decline into global thuggery will further heighten the fascination for this book. Highly recommended." Library Journal
Review
"[C]haracters spring to life as true individuals, fully developed in Fuentes' beguilingly unorthodox fashion. A novel that is truly a tour de force." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"[I]n a gratifying return to form, Fuentes handles the hoary old convention with impressive finesse. A nerve-grating cautionary tale, and one of his best books." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[Fuentes] writes fiction as if it were an op-ed piece. That is the case with The Eagle's Throne, which is no masterpiece....Not only is it hastily executed, but the attention to character is embarrassing." Boston Globe
Review
"This black comedy is funny, but deeply disturbing....Fuentes has given us a gem with The Eagle's Throne. Many may miss it, thinking Fuentes a difficult writer. Don't make that mistake." Charlotte Observer
Review
"American readers seeking illumination or thoughtful prognostication will find mostly melodrama and cartoonishly scheming characters in The Eagle's Throne." Seattle Times
Review
"Carlos Fuentes' latest novel, The Eagle's Throne, is a welcome antidote to our myopic nightly news and its obsession with immigration and border security....[A] complex conceptual achievement..." Houston Chronicle
Synopsis
Here is a true literary event the long-awaited new novel by Carlos Fuentes, one of the world's great writers. By turns a tragedy and a farce, an acidic black comedy and an indictment of modern politics,
The Eagle's Throne is a seriously entertaining and perceptive story of international intrigue, sexual deception, naked ambition, and treacherous betrayal.
In the near future, at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Mexico's idealistic president has dared to vote against the U.S. occupation of Colombia and Washington's refusal to pay OPEC prices for oil. Retaliation is swift. Concocting a "glitch" in a Florida satellite, America's president cuts Mexico's communications systems- no phones, faxes, or e-mails and plunges the country into an administrative nightmare of colossal proportions.
Now, despite the motto that "a Mexican politician never puts anything in writing," people have no choice but to communicate through letters, which Fuentes crafts with a keen understanding of man's motives and desires. As the blizzard of activity grows more and more complex, political adversaries come out to prey. The ineffectual president, his scheming cabinet secretary, a thuggish and ruthless police chief, and an unscrupulous, sensual kingmaker are just a few of the fascinating characters maneuvering and jockeying for position to achieve the power they all so desperately crave.
Synopsis
In a near future Mexico, a turbulent country teetering on the very edge of utter chaos and anarchy in which all communications with the outside world have been cut off, political adversaries on all sides--an ambitious president, his scheming cabinet secretary, an unscrupulous sexual diva, and others--compete for power. Reprint. 10,000 first printing.
Synopsis
In this provocative novel, Fuentes exposes many of the political skeletons lurking in the closet of Mexican history, as he weaves a novel of cunning, naked ambition, and duplicity.
About the Author
Carlos Fuentes is the author of more than twenty books, including This I Believe, The Death of Artemio Cruz, and The Old Gringo. He served as Mexico's ambassador to France from 1975 to 1977. He has received many awards and honors, including the Rómulo Gallegos Prize, the National Prize in Literature (Mexico's highest literary award), the Cervantes Prize, and the inaugural Latin Civilization Award. He has also been the recipient of France's Legion of Honor medal, Italy's Grinzane Cavour Award, Spain's Prince of Asturias Award, and Brazil's Order of the Southern Cross. His work has appeared in the Nation, Vanity Fair, the New York Times, the New York Times Book Review, the Los Angeles Times Book Review, and the Washington Post Book World. He currently divides his time between Mexico City and London.